U.S. Space Policy in 2026: A New Era Takes Shape

The beginning of 2026 brings with it a transformation in U.S. space policy.  This increase in activity is taking place across both the executive and legislative branches, including multiple new executive orders from a new U.S. Space Force partnership strategy, and accelerating commercial momentum aimed at reinvigorating the nation’s position across civil, commercial, and national security space. 

In the Executive Branch, the White House is emphasizing stronger U.S. leadership in space through expanded exploration goals, national security priorities, and reduced regulatory barriers for private companies. This goal of leadership is exemplified through two recent executive orders (EO), released in August and December of 2025. August’s EO focused on “enhancing American greatness in Space”, which was reinforced by December’s EO that emphasized space as a measure of “national vision and willpower.” 

Elsewhere, NASA and the Department of Energy have officially announced a collaboration on the development of nuclear reactors on the moon, and the U.S. Space Force released its inaugural International Partnership Strategy with an emphasis on coalition-based security. Both actions play important roles in realizing the administration’s goal to assert a leadership presence outside the Earth’s atmosphere.  

This focus on the strategic, commercial and national security importance of space is echoed in the legislative branch. Lawmakers recently approved a robust NASA budget for fiscal year 2026, preserving key human spaceflight and science programs while encouraging greater use of commercial partners. 

Space is quickly emerging as a key area of global competition. As U.S. efforts continue to evolve, other areas such as standards development will also become an area to monitor. Stay tuned to ASME Policy Impact for updates on this exciting policy area!