Washington, Nov 2026 : US President Donald Trump has proposed setting up a massive aerospace exhibition venue at Florida’s former space shuttle landing facility, declaring that the event would become bigger than the prestigious Paris Air Show within the next two years.
Addressing the MAX POWER aerospace technology expo and air show at Kennedy Space Center, Trump said the proposed 1,900-acre venue would bring together commercial aviation, private aircraft and emerging space technologies. The initiative, he said, would provide American companies with a major domestic platform to showcase innovations, launch products and secure business deals.
“We're going to have a show the likes of which has never been done before,” Trump said, arguing that the United States should host the world's leading aerospace exhibition.
Referring to major industry events in Paris, Britain and Dubai, he said American companies held a prominent position in the global aerospace sector and deserved a bigger platform at home. “We dominate and we should have the biggest show,” he said.
Trump projected that the proposed exhibition could attract hundreds of thousands of visitors every year, generate billions of dollars in economic activity and facilitate deals worth hundreds of billions of dollars. He cited the existing runway and extensive surrounding land as key advantages for hosting aircraft displays, space demonstrations and large exhibition facilities. The venue would be developed over the coming years.
The proposal formed the centrepiece of Trump's address at MAX POWER, being held at and around Kennedy Space Center from November 6 to 8. He praised NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman and presented the exhibition as part of a broader effort to strengthen America's position in aviation, manufacturing and space exploration.
The president also reiterated his ambition to return American astronauts to the Moon before the end of his term and establish a sustained human presence there.
NASA's published Artemis programme envisages Artemis III testing integrated systems and operational capabilities in Earth orbit in 2027, followed by an Artemis IV lunar landing targeted for 2028.
Trump also renewed his call for developing a nuclear-powered spacecraft to travel to Mars. NASA had announced the Space Reactor-1 Freedom mission in March, with a launch targeted before the end of 2028. The robotic mission is intended to demonstrate nuclear electric propulsion in deep space and deploy small helicopters to explore the Martian surface. It is separate from the longer-term objective of sending astronauts to Mars.
On commercial aviation, Trump recalled his experience travelling aboard the supersonic Concorde and expressed disappointment that passenger air travel had lost the ability to operate at such speeds.
“This may be the only industry in the world where we've gone backwards,” he said, adding, “But no more, no more we're going way forward.”
He highlighted efforts to develop supersonic aircraft capable of flying without disruptive sonic booms, along with drones, electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, and autonomous flight systems.
Trump said the proposed Florida exhibition would provide a common platform for these emerging technologies, bringing established aircraft manufacturers and companies developing new forms of transportation under one roof.
His address combined an immediate proposal to expand America's aerospace exhibition presence with longer-term ambitions in lunar and Martian exploration, several of which are already reflected in NASA's published programmes.
(Disclaimer :The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)
