President Donald Trump has signed a National Security Presidential Memorandum targeting more than 1,000 U.S. launches and reentries annually by 2030.
The directive aims to usher in what the administration calls a “Golden Age of Space Transportation,” with sweeping changes to how launches are permitted and managed.
The policy calls for faster permitting and environmental reviews, additional launch and reentry sites, priority airspace for launch corridors and private investment in infrastructure.
Agencies have also been directed to streamline procurement, strengthen the domestic space industrial base and expand international market access for U.S. space companies.
SpaceX (SPCX) appears to be an immediate beneficiary, with more launch sites and faster reviews directly addressing constraints on Starship’s flight cadence and infrastructure expansion.
Falcon 9 already dominates U.S. launch volume, recently completing missions from opposite coasts just 38.5 minutes apart, underscoring the company’s operational scale.
CEO Elon Musk said Thursday that SpaceX could attempt its first tower catch of a returning Ship “in a few months,” with the first Ship reflight expected in late 2026 or early 2027.
Rocket Lab (RKLB) completed its 93rd Electron launch on Thursday, deploying a satellite for Japan’s iQPS, with nine more dedicated missions booked through 2030.
The company has accumulated significant government momentum through the Space Force’s $981 million NITE-STAR program, a $266 million launch contract and a $397 million satellite-building deal.
Rocket Lab’s reusable Neutron rocket is progressing, with its first-stage tank expected at the launch site in the fourth quarter, though the vehicle’s debut will likely slip into early 2027.
AST SpaceMobile (ASTS) does not launch rockets but relies heavily on frequent and affordable access to orbit to deploy its BlueBird cellular-broadband constellation.
BlueBird satellites 8 through 13 are already deployed, with production continuing through satellite 46 and roughly 45 or more satellites needed for continuous coverage.
AST reported $31.5 million in second-quarter revenue, approximately $1.3 billion in contracted backlog and more than $3.7 billion in pro forma liquidity.
Intuitive Machines (LUNR) is closely aligned with the policy’s call for commercial transportation to and from the Moon, with its third lunar mission targeted for early 2027.
The company recently received authorization to proceed on a multi-satellite communications program expected to exceed $600 million and was selected for NASA/JPL’s EAGLE-VSWIR Earth-science mission.
Intuitive Machines reported $206 million in second-quarter revenue and backlog approaching $1.8 billion, supported by expansion across lunar services, defense, communications and Earth observation.
On Stocktwits, retail sentiment was “bearish” for ASTS and RKLB and “neutral” for SPCX amid “low” message volume, while LUNR drew “bullish” sentiment amid “high” message volume.
Over the past year, LUNR has surged 107%, RKLB has climbed 79% and ASTS has gained 44%, while SPCX has fallen 17%.
