Administrator of NASA
Executive orders directing the Administrator of NASA · 31 in Search.
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Orders
31 shown
Securing the Nation Against Advanced Cryptographic Attacks
This executive order mandates a government-wide transition to post-quantum cryptography (PQC) to protect against future quantum computing threats. It sets specific deadlines for federal agencies to migrate high-value assets and high-impact systems to PQC standards, requires new procurement rules for contractors, and establishes coordination roles across OMB, NIST, CISA, and NSA.
Ushering in the Next Frontier of Quantum Innovation
This executive order establishes a comprehensive national quantum strategy, directing multiple agencies to accelerate U.S. leadership in quantum information science and technology (QIST) through research investment, domestic supply chain development, workforce expansion, and international alliance-building. It creates the QC-ADDS program for quantum computing development, mandates security protections against adversarial threats, and requires numerous agency plans and reports with specific deadlines spanning 30 days to 5 years.
Ensuring American Space Superiority
This executive order establishes a comprehensive U.S. space policy prioritizing lunar return by 2028, permanent lunar presence by 2030, missile defense integration, commercial space growth targeting $50 billion in new investment, and space nuclear power deployment. It revokes the Biden-era National Space Council EO 14056 and mandates acquisition reforms across NASA and Commerce, with multiple implementation deadlines spanning 60–180 days.
Enabling Competition in the Commercial Space Industry
This executive order directs federal agencies to streamline licensing, environmental reviews, and regulatory requirements for U.S. commercial space launches, reentries, and spaceport infrastructure. It sets specific deadlines for regulatory reforms at DOT, FAA, Commerce, DOD, and NASA, and creates new leadership positions to accelerate commercial space activity by 2030.
Strengthening and Promoting Innovation in the Nation's Cybersecurity
This executive order mandates comprehensive cybersecurity reforms across the federal government, focusing on securing software supply chains, hardening federal systems and communications, combating identity fraud, and integrating AI into cyber defense. It establishes numerous deadlines for agencies to implement technical requirements including encrypted DNS, routing security, post-quantum cryptography, and enhanced threat-hunting capabilities. The order builds on EO 14028 and the National Cybersecurity Strategy with specific procurement rule changes and operational directives.
Federal Research and Development in Support of Domestic Manufacturing and United States Jobs
This executive order directs federal agencies to prioritize domestic manufacturing when commercializing technologies developed with federal R&D funding. It establishes new reporting requirements, tightens waiver processes for Bayh-Dole Act domestic manufacturing requirements, and creates coordination mechanisms across defense, energy, health, and other research agencies to strengthen U.S. industrial competitiveness and supply chain resilience.
National Strategy for Space Nuclear Power and Propulsion
This Space Policy Directive establishes a national strategy for developing and using space nuclear power and propulsion (SNPP) systems to advance U.S. space dominance. It sets four ambitious goals including lunar surface fission power demonstration, uranium fuel processing capabilities, nuclear thermal propulsion foundations, and advanced radioisotope power systems, with a coordinated roadmap targeting milestones through 2030.
The National Space Policy
This December 9, 2020 memorandum establishes a comprehensive National Space Policy that supersedes the 2010 Obama-era policy (PPD-4). It directs federal agencies to promote commercial space industry growth, strengthen the domestic space industrial base, ensure assured access to space, develop space nuclear power, improve cybersecurity for space systems, and advance international cooperation. The policy sets specific goals including returning Americans to the Moon by 2024 with sustained presence by 2028, and eventual human missions to Mars, while emphasizing protection of space assets and deterrence of hostile interference.
Encouraging International Support for the Recovery and Use of Space Resources
This executive order establishes U.S. policy that Americans have the right to engage in commercial exploration and use of space resources, explicitly rejects the 1979 Moon Agreement as binding customary international law, and directs the State Department to negotiate international agreements supporting public and private space resource recovery.
Maintaining American Leadership in Artificial Intelligence
This executive order establishes the American AI Initiative, a coordinated federal strategy to maintain U.S. leadership in artificial intelligence through increased R&D investment, expanded access to federal data and computing resources, workforce development, and protection of AI technologies from foreign acquisition. It directs agencies to prioritize AI in budgeting, issues multiple deadlines for reports and guidance on data access, regulation, standards, and security, and creates governance structures through the National Science and Technology Council Select Committee on AI.
Ocean Policy To Advance the Economic, Security, and Environmental Interests of the United States
This executive order revokes the 2010 National Ocean Policy (EO 13547) and establishes a new interagency Ocean Policy Committee co-chaired by CEQ and OSTP to coordinate federal ocean activities. It prioritizes economic growth, security, and environmental interests in ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes waters while requiring agencies to review their regulations for consistency within 90 days.
National Space Traffic Management Policy
This Space Policy Directive establishes a national framework for space traffic management (STM), directing the Department of Commerce to assume civil responsibility for space situational awareness data and collision avoidance services from the Department of Defense. It sets goals for advancing space safety science and technology, mitigating orbital debris, encouraging commercial space leadership, and developing international standards for space operations.
Reviving the National Space Council
This executive order revives the National Space Council, which had been dormant since 1993, and places the Vice President as its chair. The Council is tasked with coordinating national space policy across civilian, military, and commercial sectors, with membership drawn from key cabinet departments and agencies.
Safeguarding the Nation From the Impacts of Invasive Species
This executive order updates and strengthens federal coordination on invasive species by amending Executive Order 13112. It maintains the National Invasive Species Council with expanded membership, adds new priorities including climate change and public health impacts, and mandates a new management plan with specific reporting requirements.
Coordinating Efforts To Prepare the Nation for Space Weather Events
This executive order establishes a coordinated federal framework to prepare for and mitigate space weather events such as solar flares and geomagnetic disturbances that threaten critical infrastructure including GPS, satellites, aviation, and the electrical power grid. It assigns specific roles to multiple agencies, creates a new NSTC subcommittee for coordination, and mandates several plans and assessments within 60-180 days to enhance forecasting, infrastructure protection, and emergency response capabilities.
Strengthening the Senior Executive Service
This executive order reforms the Senior Executive Service (SES) by creating a PMC Subcommittee to oversee changes including: capping performance award spending at 7.5%, streamlining hiring processes, requiring SES pay to exceed subordinate GS employees, establishing a 15% rotation goal for SES members, and phasing in talent management and succession planning across all agencies by FY 2018.
Creating a National Strategic Computing Initiative
This executive order establishes the National Strategic Computing Initiative (NSCI), a coordinated federal strategy to advance U.S. leadership in high-performance computing (HPC) through 2030. It designates lead agencies (DOE, DOD, NSF), foundational R&D agencies (IARPA, NIST), and deployment agencies to pursue exascale computing, post-semiconductor technologies, and public-private collaboration in HPC research and deployment.
Enhancing Coordination of National Efforts in the Arctic
This executive order establishes an Arctic Executive Steering Committee to coordinate federal Arctic policy across agencies during the U.S. chairmanship of the Arctic Council. It mandates improved interagency coordination, tribal consultation with Alaska Native governments, and a report identifying overlaps and gaps in Arctic policy implementation.
National Defense Resources Preparedness
This executive order delegates authorities under the Defense Production Act of 1950 to various cabinet secretaries for prioritizing and allocating resources (food, energy, health, transportation, water, and other materials) in support of national defense. It establishes frameworks for loan guarantees, industrial base expansion, voluntary agreements, a National Defense Executive Reserve, and labor coordination during emergencies, while revoking and replacing Executive Order 12919 from 1994.
Unleashing the Wireless Broadband Revolution
This memorandum directs federal agencies to free up 500 MHz of spectrum over 10 years for wireless broadband use, with the Commerce Department and NTIA leading coordination with the FCC. It mandates a Plan and Timetable by October 1, 2010, establishes an interagency steering group, and requires research into spectrum-sharing technologies, with progress reporting to the National Economic Council, OMB, and OSTP.
Establishing an Interagency Task Force on Federal Contracting Opportunities for Small Businesses
This memorandum creates an Interagency Task Force on Federal Contracting Opportunities for Small Businesses, co-chaired by the Secretary of Commerce, OMB Director, and SBA Administrator. The Task Force must deliver proposals within 120 days to increase small business contracting, and a website for transparency must be developed within 90 days to track small business participation in federal procurement.
Employment of Veterans in the Federal Government
This executive order establishes a government-wide initiative to increase veteran hiring in the federal workforce by creating an interagency Council on Veterans Employment, requiring agencies to develop operational plans and designate veterans employment offices, and mandating training for HR personnel and hiring managers on veterans' preferences and special hiring authorities.
Government Contracting
This March 4, 2009 memorandum directs the OMB Director, in collaboration with other agency heads, to develop government-wide guidance by July 1, 2009 and September 30, 2009 to reduce noncompetitive and cost-reimbursement contracts, increase fixed-price contracts, strengthen contract oversight, and clarify when outsourcing of inherently governmental functions is inappropriate. It responds to sharp increases in sole-source and cost-reimbursement contracting since 2001 and aims to improve value for taxpayers.
Amending Executive Order 12989, as Amended
This executive order amends a 1996 order to require federal contractors to use an electronic employment eligibility verification system (E-Verify) to confirm workers are legally authorized to work in the U.S. It mandates that contracting agencies include this requirement as a condition of federal contracts, with the Secretary of Homeland Security designated to administer the verification system.
National Aeronautics Research and Development
This executive order establishes a national policy to advance U.S. aeronautics research and development through 2020, directing the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy to review federal aeronautics R&D funding, develop a national plan, and coordinate across government agencies and with private sector partners. The order emphasizes technological leadership, infrastructure maintenance, workforce development, and technology transition from research to applications.
President's Commission on Implementation of United States Space Exploration Policy
This executive order establishes a nine-member presidential commission to recommend how to implement the Vision for Space Exploration announced in 2004, including lunar and human/robotic exploration strategies, private sector and international roles, and youth STEM engagement. The commission must report within 120 days of its first meeting and terminates 60 days after submitting its final report.
Global Disaster Information Network
This executive order establishes the Global Disaster Information Network, a coordinated federal effort led by an Interagency Coordinating Committee (co-chaired by the Vice President's office, NOAA, and State Department) to improve how the U.S. government uses information technology to collect and share disaster-related information for domestic and international preparedness, response, and recovery. A Committee Support Office will develop plans and strategies, with NOAA providing administrative and funding support.
Empowerment Contracting
This executive order establishes an "Empowerment Contracting Program" to expand federal competition by offering price or evaluation credits to businesses operating in economically distressed communities. The Secretary of Commerce must develop policies and procedures to incentivize qualified large and small businesses to locate in or hire from areas with high poverty rates, designated empowerment zones, or other distressed areas, with annual reporting requirements and implementation rules due within 90 days.
Economy and Efficiency in Government Procurement Through Compliance With Certain Immigration and Naturalization Act Provisions
This executive order directs federal contracting agencies to avoid doing business with contractors that knowingly employ unauthorized workers, and establishes a debarment process where the Attorney General can investigate and recommend exclusion of non-compliant contractors from federal procurement for one-year periods. It mandates amendments to the Federal Acquisition Regulation to implement these procedures while explicitly prohibiting additional contract certification requirements.
Advisory Committee on Human Radiation Experiments
This executive order creates a temporary Advisory Committee on Human Radiation Experiments to investigate and evaluate U.S. government-sponsored human radiation experiments conducted from 1944 to 1974, and to provide recommendations on ethical and scientific standards to an interagency working group. The committee of up to 15 members will review specific Cold War-era experiments including the 'Green Run test' and various radiation warfare tests, with authority to recommend notification of affected individuals or descendants about health risks.
Federal procurement reforms
This 1982 executive order directs federal agencies to reform procurement practices by reducing administrative burdens, strengthening competition, simplifying small purchases, ensuring timely contractor payments, and creating professional procurement workforces. It mandates completion of a unified Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) by year-end 1982 and assigns coordination roles to OMB, OPM, and the Defense/GSA/NASA triumvirate.