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Chapter 8
Exploring New Frontiers in Space
Policy and Property Rights
The United States has been on the cutting edge of space exploration since the
dawn of the space age and has become the world leader in commercial activity
in space. In the 20th century, the United States became the first and only nation
to send individuals to the Moon. After the end of the Apollo Program, the United
States pioneered the Space Shuttle, the world’s first reusable spacecraft. Now
American engineers have become the first to demonstrate and operationalize
the capabilities of commercial spacecraft for orbital cargo delivery, first-stage
reusability, and human spaceflight.
In the 21st century, the United States has ushered in a new era of space explo-
ration based on public-private partnerships and the success of private sector
investment in space technologies. The Trump Administration recognizes the
opportunities and benefits afforded by this new era and has advanced poli-
cies that encourage private sector innovation, collaboration with commercial
companies, and a regulatory environment more conducive to investment in
space. In doing so, this Administration is not only accelerating the development
of the today’s space industry; it is also laying the foundation for a viable space
economy that can continue to develop and expand in the coming decades.
This past year has seen historic advances in spaceflight and space policy,
even in the midst of the global COVID-19 pandemic. After the reestablishment
of USSPACECOM as a combatant command for the space domain on August
19, 2019, President Trump established the U.S. Space Force (USSF), the sixth
branch of the U.S. military, on December 20, 2019. The mission of USSF is to
organize, train, and equip space forces to “protect U.S. and allied interests
