NASA is working toward sending astronauts back to the moon, a goal that traces back to a directive set during former President Donald Trump’s first term, the New York Times reports.
On December 11, 2017, Trump signed Space Policy Directive 1, which outlined plans for the United States to return to the lunar surface for long-term exploration and use. The policy also set the stage for future human missions to Mars and beyond.
The signing ceremony was attended by notable astronauts, including Buzz Aldrin, the second person to walk on the moon, and Harrison Schmitt, a member of Apollo 17—the last crewed mission to the lunar surface.
There are three main reasons for this renewed focus on lunar exploration:
- Scientific Discovery – The moon holds valuable insights into the history of the solar system, particularly in the permanently shadowed craters near the poles. These regions appear to contain frozen water, which could be studied to learn more about planetary formation and climate patterns.
- A Stepping Stone to Mars – The moon is seen as a natural next step for human spaceflight. Testing technology and survival techniques on the moon could help prepare for future missions to Mars and other distant destinations.
- Global Space Competition – China’s expanding space program has raised concerns about a potential space race. Some US officials believe that returning to the moon is crucial for maintaining American leadership in space exploration. Congressman Bruce Babin has even warned about the possibility of China claiming key lunar regions.
For years, the moon was considered a lower priority for space exploration—viewed as a place NASA had already explored during the Apollo missions. However, the discovery of frozen water renewed interest in the lunar surface. Water is essential for human survival, and it can also be converted into oxygen for breathing and hydrogen for rocket fuel, making long-term space missions more sustainable.
Although NASA remains committed to its lunar plans, Trump himself has more recently focused on Mars as a long-term goal, rarely mentioning the moon in his speeches. SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has also expressed doubts about prioritizing lunar missions, even though his company has a major contract to build lunar landers for NASA’s Artemis program.
