US President Donald Trump may abandon the ambitious Artemis program aimed at returning to the moon, instead focusing on sending humans to Mars. SpaceX founder Elon Musk has expressed his desire to send a mission to Mars, calling the moon a “distraction.” The Artemis program, valued at $93 billion, is part of NASA’s long-term goal to create a base on the moon to aid in further exploration of Mars.
Musk recently stated that he believes the focus should be on sending humans to Mars, with the ultimate goal of creating a self-sustaining colony. He also recommended deorbiting the International Space Station two years from now, citing its limited utility. The program’s development has faced significant delays and cost overruns, raising questions about Trump’s intentions.
Industry insiders believe that a shift away from the moon could impact Boeing, which is planning to issue layoff notices to align with revised Artemis program costs. NASA Acting Administrator Janet Petro has expressed support for continued lunar exploration, citing the importance of having boots on both the moon and Mars.
Aerospace engineer Robert Zubrin warned that the mission should not be viewed as a partisan issue, emphasizing the need for bipartisan support. The US government is currently reviewing its space budget, with NASA facing potential cuts. However, it remains unclear whether Trump will continue or abandon the Artemis program in favor of Musk’s Mars ambitions.
Source: https://www.independent.co.uk/space/trump-moon-musk-occupy-mars-b2701028.html