US President Donald Trump on Thursday (Aug 20) signed a memorandum aimed at dramatically expanding America's commercial space industry, setting a target of at least 1,000 space launches and re-entries every year by 2030.The proposed expansion would mark a major jump from the 178 launches recorded last year. That figure was already around 10 times higher than the number recorded in 2013, with Elon Musk's SpaceX accounting for much of the recent growth.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-announces-crushing-economic-campaign-against-iran-threatens-allies-with-tremendous-penalties-1787186991774">Trump announces ‘crushing’ economic campaign against Iran, threatens allies with ‘tremendous’ penalties</a><h2>Government land eyed for new launch sites</h2>The memorandum directs federal agencies to identify government-owned land that could be used for future commercial launch and re-entry sites.Trump has given officials 90 days to identify a new federal re-entry site. Agencies have also been instructed to designate priority airspace for key launch corridors and incorporate space transportation into broader air traffic control modernisation efforts.The administration wants government agencies to work more closely with private companies on space transportation infrastructure while speeding up permitting and environmental reviews.Officials have also been asked to ensure sufficient wireless spectrum is available for launch operations.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/america-s-debt-hits-a-staggering-40-trillion-is-the-us-heading-for-a-crisis-1787187559842">America's debt hits a staggering $40 trillion for the first time. Is the US heading for a crisis?</a><h2>Moon missions remain a priority</h2>The new policy also puts America's return to the Moon at the centre of the administration's space ambitions.Trump wants US astronauts back on the lunar surface by 2028, while directing NASA to support commercial transportation to the Moon and robotic missions to Mars.The administration also wants NASA to explore commercial options for eventually sending humans to Mars.Michael Kratsios, director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, described the policy as a "commercial-first approach".He said it would support having Americans on the Moon by 2028 and initial elements of a Moon base by 2030, alongside stronger launch capabilities for national security.Trump's latest space push comes after lawmakers put renewed emphasis on NASA's Artemis Moon programme, despite the president's earlier focus on Mars missions. The memorandum also directs federal agencies to consider, on a case-by-case basis, requests to launch commercial foreign space vehicles from US territory.

Trump has set an extraordinary new target for America's space industry: 1,000 launches and re-entries every year by 2030. With the US recording just 178 launches last year, the White House is betting heavily on private companies to transform the country's space ambitions.

US President Donald Trump on Thursday (Aug 20) signed a memorandum aimed at dramatically expanding America's commercial space industry, setting a target of at least 1,000 space launches and re-entries every year by 2030. The proposed expansion would mark a major jump from the 178 launches recorded last year. That figure was already around 10 times higher than the number recorded in 2013, with Elon Musk's SpaceX accounting for much of the recent growth. Also read | Trump announces ‘crushing’ economic campaign against Iran, threatens allies with ‘tremendous’ penalties Government land eyed for new launch sites The memorandum directs federal agencies to identify government-owned land that could be used for future commercial launch and re-entry sites. Trump has given officials 90 days to identify a new federal re-entry site. Agencies have also been instructed to designate priority airspace for key launch corridors and incorporate space transportation into broader air traffic control modernisation efforts. The administration wants government agencies to work more closely with private companies on space transportation infrastructure while speeding up permitting and environmental reviews. Officials have also been asked to ensure sufficient wireless spectrum is available for launch operations. Also read | America's debt hits a staggering $40 trillion for the first time. Is the US heading for a crisis? Moon missions remain a priority The new policy also puts America's return to the Moon at the centre of the administration's space ambitions. Trump wants US astronauts back on the lunar surface by 2028, while directing NASA to support commercial transportation to the Moon and robotic missions to Mars. The administration also wants NASA to explore commercial options for eventually sending humans to Mars. Michael Kratsios, director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, described the policy as a "commercial-first approach". He said it would support having Americans on the Moon by 2028 and initial elements of a Moon base by 2030, alongside stronger launch capabilities for national security. Trump's latest space push comes after lawmakers put renewed emphasis on NASA's Artemis Moon programme, despite the president's earlier focus on Mars missions. The memorandum also directs federal agencies to consider, on a case-by-case basis, requests to launch commercial foreign space vehicles from US territory.

Trump has set an extraordinary new target for America's space industry: 1,000 launches and re-entries every year by 2030. With the US recording just 178 launches last year, the White House is betting heavily on private companies to transform the country's space ambitions.

Trump wants US astronauts back on the lunar surface by 2028; signs 'commercial-first' executive order on space launches

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Vulcan Centaur, the first American spacecraft to attempt a Moon landing in more than half a century, blasted off early Monday from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

This time, leading America&nbsp;back to the surface of the Moon is the nation's private industry.

<h2>A success</h2>

The brand-new rocket, by United Launch Alliance, lifted off from Cape Canaveral at 2:18 am (7:18 GMT) for its maiden voyage. Abroad the spacecraft is Astrobotic's Peregrine Lunar Lander, which is scheduled for touchdown in mid-February.

Taking to X after launch, ULA posted "Successful #VulcanRocket staging, ignition."

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As per AFP, if all goes to plan, Peregrine, which is headed for Sinus Viscositatis, a mid-latitude region of the Moon, will touch down on February 23.

"Leading America back to the surface of the Moon for the first time since Apollo is a momentous honour," said Astrobotic's CEO John Thornton before the launch.

<h2>Curious cargo</h2>

The lander Peregrine is carrying a suite of scientific instruments that will probe the Moon's radiation and surface composition. This will help pave the way for the return of astronauts to the lunar surface.

But it also has some controversial cargo: the cremated remains and DNA of Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry, legendary sci-fi author and scientist Arthur C. Clarke and a dog. It is also carrying&nbsp;a shoebox-sized rover built by Carnegie Mellon University and a physical Bitcoin.

<h2>Private companies&nbsp;helm the mission</h2>

Under the Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) programme, the United States has turned to the commercial sector to ship its hardware to the moon at a fraction of the cost.

For the moon landing, it paid Astrobotic more than $100 million for the task. Another moon mission, to land near the South Pole, will be undertaken by Houston-based Intuitive Machines in February.

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As per Joel Kearns, NASA's deputy associate administrator for exploration, "We think that it's going to allow... more cost-effective and more rapidly accomplished trips to the lunar surface to prepare for Artemis."

Artemis is the US' attempt to return humans to the Moon this decade.&nbsp;

<h2>A momentous feat</h2>

Controlled touchdown on the Moon, as per the report, is a challenging undertaking. Roughly half the attempts to land on the moon have resulted in failure.

To date, only a handful of nations have succeeded: The Soviet Union in 1966, the United States in 1969 — the only nation to put humans on the Moon, China — which has successfully landed thrice in the last decade and India: the latest to achieve this feat, on its second attempt.

(With inputs from agencies)

Vulcan Centaur, the first American spacecraft to attempt a Moon landing in more than half a century, blasted off early Monday from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

Vulcan Centaur, the first American spacecraft to attempt a Moon landing in more than half a century, blasted off early Monday from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. This time, leading America back to the surface of the Moon is the nation's private industry. A success The brand-new rocket, by United Launch Alliance, lifted off from Cape Canaveral at 2:18 am (7:18 GMT) for its maiden voyage. Abroad the spacecraft is Astrobotic's Peregrine Lunar Lander, which is scheduled for touchdown in mid-February. Taking to X after launch, ULA posted "Successful #VulcanRocket staging, ignition." Also read | US coal miners discover mammoth tusk buried for thousands of years As per AFP, if all goes to plan, Peregrine, which is headed for Sinus Viscositatis, a mid-latitude region of the Moon, will touch down on February 23. "Leading America back to the surface of the Moon for the first time since Apollo is a momentous honour," said Astrobotic's CEO John Thornton before the launch. Curious cargo The lander Peregrine is carrying a suite of scientific instruments that will probe the Moon's radiation and surface composition. This will help pave the way for the return of astronauts to the lunar surface. But it also has some controversial cargo: the cremated remains and DNA of Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry, legendary sci-fi author and scientist Arthur C. Clarke and a dog. It is also carrying a shoebox-sized rover built by Carnegie Mellon University and a physical Bitcoin. Private companies helm the mission Under the Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) programme, the United States has turned to the commercial sector to ship its hardware to the moon at a fraction of the cost. For the moon landing, it paid Astrobotic more than $100 million for the task. Another moon mission, to land near the South Pole, will be undertaken by Houston-based Intuitive Machines in February. Also read | Will a lost asteroid hit Earth this year? This is what NASA has to say As per Joel Kearns, NASA's deputy associate administrator for exploration, "We think that it's going to allow... more cost-effective and more rapidly accomplished trips to the lunar surface to prepare for Artemis." Artemis is the US' attempt to return humans to the Moon this decade. A momentous feat Controlled touchdown on the Moon, as per the report, is a challenging undertaking. Roughly half the attempts to land on the moon have resulted in failure. To date, only a handful of nations have succeeded: The Soviet Union in 1966, the United States in 1969 — the only nation to put humans on the Moon, China — which has successfully landed thrice in the last decade and India: the latest to achieve this feat, on its second attempt. (With inputs from agencies)

Vulcan Centaur, America's first lunar lander in more than 50 years, takes off for the Moon

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Trump wants US astronauts back on the lunar surface by 2028; signs 'commercial-first' executive order on space launches

Apollo 13 disaster: How NASA pulled off the greatest space rescue ever

If astronauts run out of oxygen in space, this is what happens..

How Jim Lovell saved Apollo 13 after oxygen tank explosion | In Pics

Vulcan Centaur, America's first lunar lander in more than 50 years, takes off for the Moon