Despite the enthusiasm and efficiency of NASA's new director, the question remains about his actual ability to achieve this ambitious goal within the set timeframe. The executive order gave NASA a 90-day deadline to prepare a comprehensive plan aimed at 'achieving the policy objectives set forth in this order regarding leading the world in space exploration, expanding human access and American presence in it.' This plan will be the decisive factor in answering the question of whether the project can succeed. The 'Artemis 2' mission is scheduled to launch next February, when four astronauts will embark on a crewed journey around the Moon. This mission will serve as a critical test for the future of the return-to-the-Moon program, as its success would make the timeline set by Trump more realistic, while a failure would be a major blow to American ambitions, especially since failure is not an option if NASA is serious about returning to the Moon before the end of Trump's term. 'Artemis 2' is expected to be the top space event of 2026, with extensive media coverage, second only in importance to the U.S. midterm elections. Four astronauts—three Americans and one Canadian—will participate in the mission, traveling at higher speeds and covering greater distances than any human has since the 'Apollo 17' mission in 1972, and they will witness sights unseen by humans for more than two generations. This mission will be a pivotal step in making a return to the Moon a tangible reality, after it remained just a future concept for years. All traditional and digital media, from satellite channels to podcasts and live-streaming platforms worldwide, will cover the events. The next task for NASA under Isaacman's leadership is to land American astronauts on the lunar surface by the end of 2028. The impact of this achievement would not only be about surpassing China in the lunar race but would also give President Trump a strong and honorable conclusion to his presidency. For the 'Artemis 3' mission, dedicated to landing on the lunar surface, NASA will need an advanced human landing system. SpaceX and Blue Origin are developing simplified models of their own landing systems, which will first be tested in uncrewed missions to the lunar surface before being approved for human transport. By doing so, Isaacman has set off a competitive race between the two companies, and the winner will earn the honor of returning humans to the Moon for the first time in about 55 years. If 'Artemis 3' succeeds in beating China and reaching the Moon first, it would give the U.S. and its allies a significant psychological boost, whereas a failure, though frustrating and humiliating, would not necessarily mean the end of American space ambitions. By 2030, a nuclear-powered lunar base is expected to take shape, becoming a hub for scientific research, commercial activities, and international cooperation and diplomacy. SpaceX already has plans to build AI-powered data centers in space, and it is likely that other companies will seek to develop innovative projects to profit from the lunar base. The executive order from Trump settled the debate over the priority of going to Mars versus returning to the Moon, clearly stating that the Moon is the current priority. While the document mentions a readiness for a crewed mission to Mars in the future, it emphasizes that walking on the Red Planet will not be achieved until the lunar base is fully constructed. It is worth noting that previous U.S. presidents have twice attempted to return astronauts to the Moon, but their plans were consistently met with political, bureaucratic, and public apathy obstacles. However, the circumstances this time appear different, as there are many supporting factors for the project's success. President Trump and Congress clearly support a return to the Moon, the commercial space sector is experiencing a notable boom, there is an international alliance ready to participate in the program, and NASA, led by the young, charismatic, and reform-minded Jared Isaacman, is well-positioned to turn this space dream into a tangible reality. At the same time, China serves as a suitable competitor to maintain momentum and global interest. Source: The Hill.
