U.S. Commits to Responsible Cislunar Space Leadership

Purpose

The United States will lead the world in responsible, peaceful, and sustainable exploration, development, and utilization of Cislunar space, including the Moon, consistent with the 2021 U.S. Space Priorities Framework.

Cislunar space offers tremendous promise for advancing science, technology, and exploration.[2] Humanity’s activities on the Moon remain uniquely inspiring for people around the world. Cislunar space provides unique vantage points across and outward from the Earth-Moon system, opportunities to explore the history of our Solar System and Sun, a radio-quiet environment that can catalyze a new generation of radio astronomy, and new opportunities that are critical for crewed exploration and potential economic growth in space, among other possibilities.

U.S. science and technology leadership in Cislunar space will support the responsible, peaceful, and sustainable exploration and use of Cislunar space, including the Moon, by all spacefaring nations and entities. As we begin our next steps into space, the United States will work collaboratively with allies, international partners, and private entities to set the pace and direction of growing Cislunar activities—to foster scientific discovery, economic development, and international cooperation that reflects our shared values.

This document provides a vision and the early science and technology objectives for realizing U.S. leadership in responsible and sustainable exploration, development, and utilization of Cislunar space, including the Moon.