NASA Plans Additional Crewed Missions in 2027 and 2028

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman has laid out ambitious plans for the United States’ space future. He highlighted the goal of establishing a lunar base using unmanned robotic landers by 2027, followed by manned missions in both 2027 and 2028, which will pave the way for future voyages to Mars.

A senior NASA figure emphasized that the U.S. is “definitely back” in the competition to reach the moon, amidst President Trump’s robust commitment to building a lunar base and eventually planting the American flag on Mars.

“We’re on a path that’s entirely achievable,” said Isaacman on Saturday. He pointed out that the Artemis program, initiated during Trump’s first term, has provided critical resources to realize this vision. This initiative not only aims to revisit the moon but also to establish a sustained presence there.

In a conversation with “Saturday in America” host Kayleigh McEnany, Isaacman mentioned that the president consistently urges NASA to consider what steps are necessary to ultimately reach Mars.

Isaacman commented that constructing a moon base will help develop the skills essential for sending astronauts to Mars. He noted that the U.S. is charting a straightforward course back to the moon with plans to remain there.

“We’re in the initial stages of building a lunar base,” he remarked, indicating that robotic missions to the moon’s south pole could begin as early as 2027.

NASA is also focused on the long-term objective of sending astronauts to Mars, with upcoming missions designed to build the foundation for a lasting human presence beyond Earth.

These missions will involve testing various elements like mobility, navigation, and on-site resource production, which are key for Mars exploration.

Notably, this ambitious schedule comes as China aims to send its astronauts to the moon by 2030, heralding a new space race between these two leading nations.