Surrounded by Dr. Buzz Aldrin, former astronauts and NASA space flight officials, President Donald Trump signed an executive order Friday that restores the National Space Council.
"The future of American space leadership—we're going to lead again," he said at the beginning of his remarks at the signing ceremony. "It's been a long time. It's over 25 years, and we're opening up, and we are going to be leading again like we've never led before.
"We're a nation of pioneers, and the next great American frontier is space. And we never completed—we started, but we never completed. We stopped. But now we start again. And we have tremendous spirit, and we're going to have tremendous spirit from the private sector—maybe in particular from the private sector."
President George H.W. Bush established the National Space Council in 1989. The council was tasked with advising and assisting the president regarding national space policy and strategy. It ceased operation in 1993, when President Bill Clinton disbanded it.
President Trump's executive order revives the council and will reinvigorate America's role as a leader in space, strengthen America's economy, and advance the security of the American people:
In particular, the council is directed to:
- review United States government space policy, including long-range goals, and develop a strategy for national space activities;
- develop recommendations for the president on space policy and space-related issues;
- monitor and coordinate implementation of the objectives of the president's national space policy and strategy;
- foster close coordination, cooperation and technology and information exchange among the civil, national security and commercial space sectors;
- advise on participation in international space activities conducted by the United States government; and
- facilitate the resolution of differences concerning major space and space-related policy matters.
Click here to read the entire order.
"The human soul yearns for discovery," the president said. "By unlocking the mysteries of the universe, we unlock truths within ourselves ... Our journey into space will not only make us stronger and more prosperous, but will unite us behind grand ambitions and bring us all closer together."
The president said he was encouraged to revive the council by Vice President Mike Pence, who as chairman of the council will play an "indispensable role in crafting America's space policy," according to the White House. In comments prior to the order signing ceremony, the vice president said he was honored and enthusiastic about the new role he would be assuming, stating the Trump administration's commitment to space exploration would "strengthen the American spirit" and inspire the American people to "blaze new trails into the unknown."
"Our vice president cares very deeply about space policy, and for good reason," the president said. "Space exploration is not only essential to our character as a nation, but also our economy and our great nation's security.
"Our travels beyond the Earth propel scientific discoveries that improve our lives in countless ways here, right here, at home: powering vast new industry, spurring incredible new technology, and providing the space security we need to protect the American people. And security is going to be a very big factor with respect to space and space exploration.
"At some point in the future, we're going to look back and say, 'How did we do it without space?'"
You can watch the entire signing ceremony in the video clip above. 
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