The American Declaration of Freedom in Space

It is America's destiny to explore and expand our frontiers beyond Earth to the farthest depths of space. Today, my Administration reaffirms that our solar system and all of outer space beyond Earth are the province of all humans, and that our Nation will lead the way in the exploration, development, use, and settlement of these new frontiers—forging an interplanetary civilization founded on the enduring and inalienable rights of freedom and individual liberty.

From the intrepid Apollo 11 astronauts who took humanity's first steps on the Moon to the pioneering rovers that explored the surface of Mars, the United States has always blazed a trail into the great unknown, shattering boundaries and pushing mankind to extraordinary new heights. Behind each triumph are generations of astronauts, scientists, engineers, and workers whose tireless dedication and unmatched ingenuity turn impossible dreams into reality.

Under my leadership, the United States is once again writing a bold new chapter in space exploration. This past April, the Artemis II mission successfully carried astronauts around the Moon and farther from Earth than any human had ever traveled before. This historic voyage is only the beginning. Next summer, Artemis III will undertake one of the most complex and consequential test flight campaigns in the history of our Nation's space program.

This proud legacy of innovation is our sacred inheritance, and our Nation bears the solemn responsibility to advance it by continuing to open new horizons of exploration and discovery. Through the landmark Executive Orders and directives I have signed, we are reinvigorating human spaceflight, unleashing a competitive and thriving commercial space industry, and ensuring American space superiority for all eternity. We will return to the Moon by 2028, lay the foundation for a permanent American lunar presence, and hasten the day when an American becomes the first human to set foot on the red dunes of Mars. Together, we will build the facilities, develop the resources, and establish a permanent presence in space to extend the reach of American exploration, preserve our frontier spirit, and strengthen our national security for centuries to come. The nation that leads in space will shape the future of humanity—and that nation will be the United States of America.

Today, we renew our solemn and righteous mission to propel humanity toward the farthest reaches of the universe. We reaffirm that the United States will lead the way in this bold endeavor, for the nation with the best scientific understanding of space, the most advanced space economy, and the greatest spacefaring citizens, will be the most prosperous nation for centuries to come. Above all, we pledge to carry our sacred values of faith and freedom wherever we journey, so that freedom may forever ring among the stars and beyond.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim that the solar system ( printed page 70768) and all of outer space beyond Earth are the province of all humans and are open to exploration, development, use, and the establishment of a permanent presence by American citizens consistent with United States law and the international obligations of the United States.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this third day of November, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-six, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and fifty-first.