What Is Joe Biden's Plan For The National Space Council? White House May Follow Donald Trump's Lead

The Biden administration has confirmed plans to reconvene the White House National Space Council (NSpC). The Trump-era initiative had been in limbo since Joe Biden took office, but now seems set to resume space regulation, Politico reports.

The council’s mandate is broad. Its modern iteration was jumpstarted in 2017 by Donald Trump, who made space initiatives a central policy goal.

“At a time of unprecedented activity and opportunity generated by America’s activities in space, the National Space Council will be renewed to assist the President in generating national space policies, strategies, and synchronizing America’s space activities,” the National Security Council (NSC) told Politico Sunday.

The council during Trump’s tenure contained the Vice President, Secretaries of Defense, State and Commerce, NASA’s head administrator, the director of national intelligence, the director of the Office of Management and Budget, and many more.

Biden has kept quiet about exactly who will be on his council.

“While we are still working details,” the NSC said, “we will tailor the Council to ensure we have representation that can address the priorities of the Administration — such as space-related science and technologies, space exploration, solutions to address climate change, ensuring economic and educational opportunities, building partnerships, cementing norms of behaviors in space, and addressing matters of national security efforts in space.”

Another Trump-era space organization has also been confirmed to return, the council’s User Advisory Group (UAG). It still contains some Trump allies, such as Alabama Governor Kay Ivey and former Representative John Culberson.

“Both the UAG and the NSpC we advise are still active organizations,” UAG chair and retired Adm. James Ellis wrote to members on Friday. “We are working to reschedule a planned meeting with them to update them on our UAG Subcommittee activities and, in turn, receive any administrative guidance they can provide.”