President Donald Trump signed an executive order on 13 Aug. aimed at accelerating the private space-launch industry. The measure directs federal agencies to streamline or waive environmental and other permitting requirements, with the stated goal of “considerably” increasing U.S. commercial launch activity by 2030. It also elevates the Office of Space Commerce from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to report directly to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, giving the bureau broader authority to license and oversee novel space activities. Transportation Secretary and acting NASA administrator Sean P. Duffy, who joined the White House signing ceremony, said the agency intends to establish a permanent lunar base for national security purposes, arguing that “whoever controls space is going to control Earth.” Duffy framed the moon outpost as part of a wider effort to ensure U.S. dominance in space amid growing competition from China and private operators. While the administration is opening the door to more launches, NASA is simultaneously preparing to deactivate several satellites as soon as October, according to CNN and other media reports. Industry and scientific sources say the targets include the Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2 and ‑3 instruments, which provide the world’s most precise measurements of atmospheric carbon dioxide. Climate researchers warn that shutting down the OCO missions—whose combined operating cost is roughly $15 million a year—would strip policymakers of critical data on greenhouse-gas emissions just as extreme-weather risks intensify. Penn State climatologist Michael Mann said the moves reflect a broader budget proposal that would eliminate funding for more than 50 Earth-science missions in fiscal 2026. Environmental groups contend that loosening launch rules while scrapping key climate satellites shifts U.S. space policy toward commercial and strategic aims at the expense of scientific observation. Congress, which has not yet acted on the administration’s budget request, could still mandate continued funding for the satellites or block elements of the new regulatory rollbacks.