Former US President Donald Trump has announced a renewed push to return American astronauts to the Moon as quickly as possible, placing lunar exploration ahead of missions to Mars in a new executive order outlining the future direction of US space policy.
The directive makes a human return to the Moon an absolute priority by 2028 under NASA’s Artemis program, which was first launched during Trump’s initial term in office. The order signals a clear shift in emphasis, with Mars exploration described as a longer-term objective rather than an immediate goal.
According to the executive order, a successful return to the Moon would reinforce US leadership in space, lay the foundations for economic development on the lunar surface, and serve as a critical stepping stone for future missions to Mars. The policy also aims to inspire a new generation of American explorers and strengthen the country’s strategic position in space.
The document further outlines plans to establish a permanent US base on the Moon by 2030 and confirms Washington’s intention to deploy a nuclear reactor on the lunar surface to support long-term human presence and scientific activity.
The announcement comes as NASA’s Artemis 3 mission, originally scheduled for mid-2027 and designed to land US astronauts on the Moon for the first time since Apollo 17 in 1972, continues to face delays. Space experts say the mission is likely to be postponed again due to ongoing readiness issues with the lunar lander being developed by Elon Musk’s SpaceX.
Trump’s renewed focus on the Moon underscores the growing geopolitical and technological competition in space, particularly as China and other global powers accelerate their own lunar ambitions.
By prioritizing Artemis and lunar infrastructure, the United States is seeking to secure a lasting foothold beyond Earth while shaping the next phase of human space exploration.
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