NASA is gearing up to send astronauts back to the moon, a goal set by President Trump when he signed Space Policy Directive 1 on December 11, 2017. This directive emphasized that the United States would take the lead in returning humans to the moon for long-term exploration, paving the way for future missions to Mars and beyond.
At the signing, famous astronauts like Buzz Aldrin, who was the second person to walk on the moon, and Harrison Schmitt, the last astronaut to visit the lunar surface, were present, highlighting the importance of this mission.
There are three main reasons why NASA wants to return to the moon:
- The moon can teach us a lot about our solar system, especially through its shadowy polar craters that may contain frozen water.
- The moon is the most logical next stop for astronauts as we expand our reach into space.
- The U.S. aims to return to the moon before other countries, like China, establish a presence there.
For many years after the Apollo missions, interest in the moon waned. It seemed like a barren place, lacking air and life. Instead, scientists turned their attention to Mars and other planets.
However, recent discoveries of frozen water in the moon’s craters have awakened curiosity. This water could make future missions much easier. Astronauts need water to survive, and it can be split into hydrogen and oxygen. The oxygen is vital for breathing, while hydrogen and oxygen together can fuel spacecraft for the journey home or to other destinations in the solar system.
Moreover, the ice layers in these craters could hold valuable records of our solar system’s history, similar to how ice cores from Greenland reveal Earth’s past climate.
This renewed focus on the moon signals an exciting chapter in space exploration. The potential benefits of lunar exploration are vast, from resource utilization to scientific discovery. It’s an adventure waiting to unfold, with the promise of new knowledge and frontiers to explore.
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National Aeronautics and Space Administration,Moon,United States Politics and Government,Trump, Donald J,Space and Astronomy,Private Spaceflight,Mars (Planet),Artemis Program,Space Exploration Technologies Corp,Musk, Elon
