Trump 2.0 begins: What it means for Nasa, SpaceX and global space exploration

Elon Musk, who has frequently voiced frustration over regulatory hurdles hindering his spaceflight ambitions — particularly the Starship Super Heavy program — is all set for a new role as Donald Trump begins his second term as President of the United States. Elon Musk’s reaction to Trump saying today: “We will pursue our manifest destiny into the stars by launching American astronauts to plant the Stars and Stripes on the planet Mars.” pic.twitter.com/XMLQC2OTuu — Sawyer Merritt January 20, 2025 A New Era for Nasa Donald Trump after becoming president of the US said, "We will pursue our manifest destiny into the stars by launching American astronauts to plant the Stars and Stripes on the planet Mars." Isaacman’s experience with SpaceX is likely to deepen Nasa’s collaboration with private firms, further integrating commercial capabilities into national space exploration. With Trump reinforcing his belief in Musk's plan to colonise Mars, the stage is set for the next four years for the direction in which American space exploration will be directed. While Musk dominates the global space launch market, his role in the new administration will require careful diplomacy to ensure space remains a domain for shared growth rather than a tool for leverage.