Hua Er Jie Jian Wen·2025-12-21 10:46Core Points - The U.S. is initiating the largest militarization of space since the Cold War, with President Trump signing an executive order prioritizing manned lunar missions, establishing a lunar base, and developing space defense systems [1] - The executive order aims for a manned lunar landing by 2028 and a permanent lunar base by 2030, requiring the Pentagon and intelligence agencies to formulate a space security strategy [1][4] Group 1: Lunar Mission Goals - The 2028 lunar landing goal is seen as highly challenging, similar to a previous 2024 directive, with delays in NASA's Space Launch System and SpaceX's Starship affecting timelines [2] - The executive order reinforces NASA's existing goal of developing a long-term lunar base using nuclear energy, originally set during the Obama administration [2] - The Artemis program will mark NASA's first manned lunar mission under this new directive, heavily relying on the development progress of SpaceX's Starship [2] Group 2: Military Satellite Network - The U.S. Space Force's Space Development Agency announced a $3.5 billion satellite order, indicating an acceleration in military space deployment [3] - Four defense contractors will each receive contracts for 18 satellites, enhancing missile warning and tracking capabilities with near-continuous global coverage [3] - This satellite deployment is part of a strategy to launch new batches every two years, with the first batch of 154 satellites expected to achieve initial operational capability by 2027 [3] Group 3: Space Policy Coordination - The executive order restructures the national space policy coordination mechanism, placing it under the leadership of the President's Chief Science Advisor [4] - The National Space Council, previously uncertain in its future, will continue to exist under a new structure, with the President as its chair [4] - The order also calls for the Pentagon and intelligence agencies to develop a space security strategy and encourages private contractors to improve efficiency [4] Group 4: NASA Budget and Dual Goals - NASA is facing financial pressures, with a potential budget cut of about 25% from the usual $25 billion, threatening numerous prioritized space science programs [6] - The new NASA administrator supports targeting both lunar and Mars missions, reflecting Congressional pressure to focus on lunar initiatives [6] - Legislative focus has shifted back to lunar missions, despite previous discussions about prioritizing Mars exploration [6]