Space Agenda 2025: A Roadmap for U.S. Space Leadership, Security, and Growth

Space has become essential not only for national security and economic growth but also for global connectivity and stability. Today, it’s about how nations communicate, monitor the climate, and protect shared interests in a complex space environment. As countries like China and Russia expand their space capabilities, the importance of staying at the forefront of space technology is clear. With these challenges and opportunities in mind, Space Agenda 2025, published by the U.S.-based Center for Space Policy and Strategy (CSPS) at The Aerospace Corporation, provides a strategic guide for the next U.S. administration.

The series of papers comprising the agenda outlines essential steps to maintain a secure and sustainable space environment, from bolstering security and supporting commercial growth to ensuring sustainability. The agenda offers a roadmap for addressing emerging threats, fostering space innovation, and building partnerships across the international space community.

Space Agenda 2025 Research Papers

The collection of papers featured in Space Agenda 2025 cover the following key research areas:

• National Security
• Space Traffic Operations & Debris
• National Policies & International Relations
• The Business of Space
• Science & Technology
• Exploration, Society, & the Future
• Climate Change & the Environment

You can take a look at all of the papers here. Some of the papers include:

• Framing Space Agenda Through Strategic Foresight by Kara Cunzeman
• Russia’s War in Ukraine: Key Observations About Space by Michael Gleason
• Strengthening the Industrial Base to Deliver the Future Defense Space Architecture by Andrew Berglund
• Space Regulatory Reform Is a Wicked Problem Still Worth Tackling by Brian Weeden

So, let’s touch upon some of the pressing matters Space Agenda 2025 covers, shall we?

Enhancing Leadership and Staying Competitive

To maintain its leadership position in space, the U.S. must invest in cutting-edge technology and continue building alliances with international partners. The Space Agenda 2025 papers suggest specific steps to strengthen the U.S. position amid growing competition from other nations.

As other countries, particularly China and Russia, expand their capabilities, global space competition is intensifying. Both countries are developing advanced military satellite technologies and anti-satellite weapons, posing potential risks to space assets that are essential for national security and economic functions. To counter these threats, the agenda advises the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) to adopt a more resilient “distributed” space architecture. This approach would involve deploying multiple smaller, less vulnerable satellites instead of relying on a few large ones, thus making it harder for adversaries to disrupt critical systems.

A strong space sector also requires a steady pipeline of highly trained professionals, including engineers, cybersecurity experts, and satellite operators. Space Agenda 2025 highlights the need for investment in education and training programmes to develop a capable workforce, not only to support U.S. leadership but also to enhance the overall resilience of the space sector. With the growing demand for skills in space technology, countries around the world can benefit from increased emphasis on STEM education to fill this gap.

Insights from the War in Ukraine: Space’s Growing Role in Modern Conflict

Russia’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine has offered valuable insights into how space-based assets are used in warfare and in doing so, highlighted gaps in current military strategies. According to Space Agenda 2025, the war has underscored the critical need for integrating satellite data with ground-based military operations. Observations from this conflict have pushed the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and the U.S. Space Force (USSF) to reconsider their strategies, particularly around data access, satellite resilience, and the swift integration of space capabilities at the battlefield edge.

One key lesson is the importance of seamless satellite and terrestrial force integration. Throughout the war, the ability to use satellite intelligence for real-time tactical decision-making has proven essential. By prioritizing networked systems that connect space and ground operations, the U.S. and its allies could increase their responsiveness to threats in future conflicts. This approach also emphasizes the importance of accessible, reliable data to support operations on the ground.

In addition, Space Agenda 2025 suggests that the U.S. accelerate changes to regulations, policies, and systems that currently hinder the efficient sharing of military space capabilities. Streamlining these processes could improve access to high-end satellite data, enhancing the effectiveness of defence operations and providing allies with a significant strategic advantage.

Ultimately, the lessons learned from the Russian invasion point to the need for stronger, more integrated networks across space and ground operations, with increased investment in flexible, resilient satellite systems.

Driving Innovation in the Commercial Space Sector

The commercial space sector has grown significantly, bringing new players into the industry and rapidly advancing technologies. From satellite communications and Earth observation to ambitious plans for lunar exploration, private companies are helping to transform the space landscape. Yet, this growth also presents regulatory and strategic challenges that require careful navigation. Space Agenda 2025 highlights how the U.S. can benefit from partnering with commercial enterprises while also setting policies to keep the sector stable and secure.

One recommendation is for the U.S. government to establish a flexible regulatory framework that can adapt to new commercial developments. Current regulations can often be cumbersome, delaying projects and stifling innovation. By streamlining these processes, policymakers can encourage commercial growth and create a favourable business environment, all while maintaining oversight and security.

Commercial space enterprises often rely on venture capital (VC) funding, which can fluctuate. Recent years have seen a decline in VC investment, affecting the stability of some companies. To mitigate this volatility, the agenda suggests that the DoD act as an “anchor client” for these companies, providing reliable demand for their services. This approach would help support a steady market for essential commercial space capabilities and ensure that the U.S. government has access to reliable, advanced technology.

Ensuring a Sustainable Space Environment

As space activity increases, so too does congestion in Earth’s orbits. The sheer number of satellites and the accumulation of space debris are creating a crowded and potentially hazardous environment. Space Agenda 2025 highlights sustainability as a top priority, stressing the need for responsible space practices to keep orbits safe and accessible for future generations.

The Importance of Space Sustainability

Without sustainable practices, certain orbits could become unusable due to the risk of collisions and the accumulation of space debris. This has far-reaching implications, not only for U.S. assets but for the global space community, as GPS, weather monitoring, and satellite-based communications depend on secure and sustainable access to space.

Space Agenda 2025 calls for international collaboration on space sustainability. By leading the charge in establishing norms for space traffic management, satellite disposal, and debris mitigation, the U.S. can set a standard that encourages other nations to adopt similar practices. These initiatives could prevent collisions, minimise debris, and help ensure a stable space environment for all users.

Protecting Lunar and Cislunar Space

As nations and companies look to the Moon for scientific research and potential resource extraction, there is a pressing need for policies that govern lunar and cislunar (the area between Earth and the Moon) activities. Space Agenda 2025 suggests that the U.S. lead efforts to create fair and responsible policies for lunar exploration. These guidelines would help avoid conflicts over resources, promote shared access, and support long-term scientific goals in this increasingly important region.

Strategic Recommendations for Policymakers

Space Agenda 2025 lays out several strategic recommendations to strengthen resilience, encourage innovation, and promote sustainability in space. The following are key actions suggested for the incoming U.S. administration:

1. Invest in space defence systems – Allocate funding for resilient DoD space systems, including small satellite constellations and robust cybersecurity to protect space assets.
2. Encourage commercial growth – Create a flexible regulatory framework that can accommodate the rapid pace of innovation in the commercial space sector. Public-private partnerships and clear regulations will encourage investment and help keep U.S. industry competitive globally.
3. Champion space sustainability – Establish international norms for space traffic management, debris reduction, and responsible lunar exploration to ensure long-term access to space. The U.S. has an opportunity to lead in setting standards that benefit the entire global community.
4. Develop a skilled workforce – Support education and training programmes to ensure a pipeline of skilled professionals for the space industry. Building this workforce is essential for maintaining and enhancing space capabilities.
5. Strengthen international partnerships – Forge stronger ties with other spacefaring nations through joint research, technology-sharing, and defence cooperation. Collaboration can reinforce shared goals and improve resilience.

Why Space Agenda 2025 Matters

Space Agenda 2025 is more than just a policy guide; it’s a blueprint for addressing the pressing issues that will shape the future of space policy. As nations continue to push forward with ambitious plans, clear strategies and international cooperation are essential to maintaining stability, fostering innovation, and preserving space for peaceful purposes.

The next few years will be pivotal. The decisions made now will not only influence U.S. policy but will have a ripple effect on space strategy worldwide, affecting everything from security and economic growth to sustainability and exploration. Space Agenda 2025 provides essential insights and strategies to help global leaders navigate these complexities and build a future in space that is secure, sustainable, and full of potential.