President Donald Trump has signed a directive that pass NASA to return American astronaut to the Moon — a missionary station that would consist the institution for a possible mission to Mars . The reincarnate emphasis on space exploration , said Trump , is to guarantee America ’s primacy in space , to protect its citizens , and to produce jobs . But while a coherent and ambitious blank curriculum is welcome news , the announcement can also be seen as a misdirection .
With astronauts Christine Coke , Peggy Whitson , and Jack Schmidt in attendance , Trump made “ Space Policy Directive 1 ” functionary . The decision to devolve to the Moon and lay the groundwork for a mission to Mars was base on recommendations made by the National Space Council National , which made its finding known this past October .
“ This mark an authoritative tone in returning American astronauts to the Moon for prospicient term exploration , ” read Trump , adding that the mission will do more than just provide “ a flag and step on the Moon , ” hint at a possible pedestal and potential mining activities .
“ We ’re about to get down new journeying of exploration and discovery … and once again imagine possibilities look in those grown , beautiful ace , and defy to dream swelled , ” said Trump .
In addition to “ reclaiming our gallant destiny in distance , ” Trump said the new directive will goad innovation — let in the development of technologies that can be leverage for military applications . The mission to the Moon , it ’s clear , is more than just about restore American pride — it ’s also about induce sure the US continues to be a part of the 21st C quad backwash .
Vice President Mike Pence , who ’s the chairman of the National Space Council , spoke after Trump , articulate it ’s a “ momentous occasion in the history of American infinite exploration”—one that will guarantee Americans “ lead in blank once again . ” Pence say the recommendations made by the re - launched National Space Council were nem con approved . The plan , said Pence , will “ provide for the vulgar defense of the United States , ” and “ spur conception … and see jobs created that we could n’t even ideate will be make today . ”
While sign the ordination Trump stressed that this will take to “ job , jobs ! ”
During the abbreviated signing ceremony , both Trump and Pence were thin on the details . It ’s not directly clear-cut what this think of for NASA in term of budgetary assignation , or when the space agency might await to see such fund . No timelines were given for a return key to the Moon or a pending mission to Mars .
For Trump , this is all low hanging yield and an gentle winnings . His presidency has , rightly , faced accusation of being anti - skill . But the determination to fall to the Moon should n’t be see as a sudden change of fount . As both Trump and Pence admit , this is about creating problem , restoring America ’s presence in blank space , and modernise its blank space - based military capacity . At the same time , the announcement distracts from ( arguably ) more pressing scientific consequence , such as climate variety , the shift to renewable energy , and environmental contamination .
For the moment , let ’s observe the decision to send Americans back to the Moon — but not at the disbursement of ignoring the many problem that still exist back home in the US .
Donald Trumpmars explorationNASAScience
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