President of the United States Donald Trump is hoping for the return of man to the moon. Last Monday, President Trump signed the Space Policy Directive 1 that allows an integrated program backed by private sectors to send human back to the moon.
The President was joined by members from Congress, National Space Council, and renowned NASA astronauts like Peggy Whitson, Christina Koch, and Sen. Harrison Schmitt. Among the attendees is also the second man to step on the moon, Buzz Aldrin.
Trump, last Monday, said the Directive 1 is the initial step for mankind to be able to explore and return to the moon. "It marks a first step in returning American astronauts to the Moon for the first time since 1972, for long-term exploration and use. This time, we will not only plant our flag and leave our footprints. We will establish a foundation for an eventual mission to Mars, and perhaps someday, to many worlds beyond," Trump said.
In his speech, Trump also stated the policy will "restore American leadership in space."
The pursuit for the policy was headed by Vice President Mike Pence and was then recommended by other authorities. To make way for the Directive 1, the policy ended NASA's plans to transport humans to an asteroid.
NASA praised the President for his decision and promised to fulfill their mission. Acting NASA Administrator Robert Lightfoot said, "NASA looks forward to supporting the president's directive strategically aligning our work to return humans to the moon, travel to Mars and opening the deeper solar system beyond."
Other than the Space Policy Directive 1, NASA is also in the midst of preparing for the Mars 2020 rover mission. NASA is hoping to further explore Mars and potential signs of life on the planet. The 2020 mission will also collect more rock samples and soils to be taken back to earth for examination.
