Trump Pledges 2028 Moon Landing, Lunar Base by 2030
▼ Summary
– The document lacks a concrete plan for sending humans to Mars, mentioning it only as a distant goal.
– Space science receives minimal attention, with only a brief mention of optimizing R&D for near-term objectives.
– Russ Vought, head of the OMB, was responsible for proposing deep cuts to space science that Congress largely prevented.
– The executive order directs Jared Isaacman to coordinate with Vought’s office, which may not bode well for science missions.
– The policies aim to modernize NASA, with key challenges including a 2028 Moon landing and replacing the International Space Station.
A new space policy directive has set ambitious goals for American exploration, focusing on a swift return to the lunar surface and establishing a permanent foothold. The plan calls for landing humans on the Moon by 2028 and developing a lunar base by 2030, marking a significant acceleration of crewed missions. This framework aims to modernize NASA’s approach, emphasizing partnerships with commercial industry to build a successor to the International Space Station and foster a sustained human presence beyond Earth orbit.
Notably, the document shifts focus away from Mars in the immediate term. While the red planet is referenced as a long-term aspiration, it is not a central pillar of the near-term strategy. Reports suggest that when it became clear a crewed Mars landing could not be achieved within a potential second term, direct interest in that initiative waned. The current objectives are decidedly lunar-centric, with the aim of solidifying American leadership in cislunar space through rapid, achievable milestones.
The policy gives comparatively little attention to space science programs. It includes only a broad directive about optimizing research and development investments to support the administration’s primary exploration goals. This approach mirrors past budgetary efforts that proposed significant reductions for scientific missions, efforts which Congress has typically resisted. The involvement of the Office of Management and Budget, led by Russ Vought, an architect of those previous proposed cuts, in coordinating on these new policy objectives has raised concerns among science advocates about the future prioritization of pure research missions.
Overall, the directives chart a forward-looking course that seeks to leverage commercial innovation and set definitive deadlines. The official tasked with leading this charge, Jared Isaacman, will confront substantial hurdles. These include managing the technically complex and politically sensitive timeline for the 2028 lunar landing and orchestrating a seamless transition from the International Space Station to a new commercial platform in orbit. His ability to navigate these challenges while coordinating with various government offices and private companies will define the trajectory of American spaceflight for the next decade.
(Source: Ars Technica)
