President outlines lunar settlement and Mars ambitions in National Astronaut Day message
Administration commemorates Alan Shepard's 1961 flight while reaffirming the 2028 deadline for human return to the Moon
The President issued a message on National Astronaut Day commemorating Commander Alan Shepard's 1961 historic flight as the first American in space. The statement highlighted NASA's achievements, including the Artemis II mission where astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen orbited the Moon aboard the Integrity spacecraft.
In the message, the President outlined plans to return humans to the Moon by 2028 and settle there permanently, with future goals set on Mars. The announcement referenced an Executive Order to ensure American space superiority, detailing advances in space nuclear technology and support for the commercial space industry.
The President noted that the Artemis II crew carried the US flag farther from Earth than ever before, travelling 695,081 miles aboard the Integrity spacecraft. This voyage marked the first time in over 50 years that humans had journeyed around the Moon, providing essential data for future lunar operations.
The administration emphasised that the Republic stands at the dawn of a new Golden Age of space exploration. Under the referenced Executive Order, the government is advancing space nuclear technology for the journey to Mars while empowering innovation across the commercial space industry.
This policy direction seeks to secure American space dominance for generations to come, building on previous milestones such as Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin walking on the Moon and the landing of rovers on Mars. The message framed these developments as a continuation of the relentless pursuit into the unknown that began with Shepard's flight aboard Freedom 7.
The President described the Artemis II mission as a testament to American excellence, suggesting that the information gathered will prove essential as the nation prepares to return American boots to the lunar surface. The long-term vision extends beyond a temporary presence, aiming for a permanent settlement on the Moon before shifting focus to the red dunes of Mars.