President Donald Trump Second first address It was filled with rhetoric rhetoric about his predecessor's future and sneaky accusations. The former example related to the president's space policy.
“And we will pursue the fate of the manifesto to the stars and launch an American astronaut to plant stars and stripes on the planetary Mars.”
This sentence was noticeable due to lack of mention of the moon. The Artemis program, which Trump started in his first term, was very clear that humans would return to the moon first before going to Mars.
But SpaceX's ELON MUSK is now one of the closest advisors of the president. The mask does not keep his desire to establish a reconciliation on Mars. He even claims that the first people can be sent there in 2028.
So, is NASA still going to the moon, or is the Trump administration abandoning the moon and preparing to send Astral Flyer on Mars straight?
Trump's pledge to go to Mars without mentioning the moon turned his head in the media, even surprising. storyPhys.org notebookThe musk posted to X, “We go straight to Mars. The moon is a distraction.”
The story also states that Congress will probably not be satisfied with such pivot. 。 “
It's not just work in the district. We pointed out that we had to bypass the moon before the foolishness of suddenly rushing toward Mars. Such changes will clarify the immediate scientific and economic interests that the return to the moon will bring. Also, if the Chinese achieve the lunar landing of the promised crew by 2030, it will risk the humiliation of the people.
The United States is unlikely to achieve the circulation of the crew by the end of Trump's second term. However, NASA is more likely to put boots on the moon by 2028. The United States will win a political victory. Trump will get before his glory.
So far, space agencies have not shown signs of pivot from the moon to Mars. Recently NASA Published some research contracts To promote the logistics of the 20s monthly operation into companies such as intuitive machinery and blue origin.
Commercial month's payload service programWe are promoting ApaceThe second intuitive machine flight scheduled to be released in late February is scheduled for Firefly Mission on the moon. The ARTEMIS II is still going smoothly in mid -2026, and one year later, the next lunar landing ARTEMIS III is progressing steadily.
Of course, everything may be changed. I previously noted that Trump's transition team is considering going back to the moon and going to Mars at the same time in other changes. 。 Considering that both technical reality and financial reality are suspicious, whether such a two -truck exploration program is possible.
The problem is when the new exploration policy will be revealed.
Trump officially nominated Jared Isaacman, a billionaire private astronaut, became a NASA administrator, and made an outdoor decision outdoors. Isakman must confirm in front of the Senate Commercial Science and Technology Committee after the hearing of Sen Ted Cruz (R-Texas).
These hearing are a great opportunity to broadcast what the Trump policy for space exploration is. Similarly, what is important will be the venue for Congress to express the reaction to that policy.
If Trump proposes to launch a two -track exploration program, a particular policy change and cost are associated with such changes. Does the parliament follow such changes? I understand.
Another factor that affects future space policy is the success of Blue Origin New Glenn. ARS Technica's Eric Berger pointed out Jeff Bezos, the origin of Musk and Blue, has evolved a ceasefire due to a rivalry of the universe in search of Trump's favor.
Burger ends this article. Ultimately, Trump may tell them to follow their hearts.
Isn't that what?
Mark R. Wittington is the author of “”.Why is it so difficult to return to the moon?“Similarly”Monday, Mars, etc.And recently, “”Why does the United States return to the moon?“He is writing a blogCURMUDGEONS corner.
