NASA says the next trip to the moon is about much more than landing astronauts again

NewsNASA’s next giant leap could change space forever NASA’s Artemis program is shifting from short-term lunar exploration to establishing a permanent base near the moon’s south pole, where astronauts could eventually use local resources to support future missions to Mars. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)APNearly six decades after astronauts first walked on the moon, NASA says its next chapter will focus on establishing a long-term human presence on the lunar surface rather than making another symbolic visit, as the agency works toward eventual crewed missions to Mars, The New York Post reported.NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said the moon will serve as the foundation for deeper space exploration, with future missions designed to develop technologies that allow astronauts to live and work beyond Earth for extended periods. Public interest in lunar exploration has surged following the successful Artemis II mission, and Isaacman said support for returning to the moon is stronger than at any point since the Apollo era. Rather than treating the moon as a destination, NASA views it as a proving ground. The agency plans to study how astronauts can extract water ice from permanently shadowed regions near the lunar south pole and convert it into oxygen, hydrogen and rocket fuel, resources that could reduce the need to transport supplies from Earth. NASA’s current roadmap calls for Artemis III to launch in 2027. That mission is expected to test commercial lunar landing systems and continue preparations for sustained lunar operations while robotic spacecraft begin delivering equipment to the moon’s south pole. Artemis IV, targeted for 2028, is expected to return astronauts to the lunar surface as construction of a permanent lunar outpost accelerates. Agency leaders believe a permanent lunar presence could help create a commercial economy in space by expanding opportunities for private companies. NASA expects commercial partners to play a growing role in transportation, infrastructure and scientific research beyond Earth orbit. Isaacman said future industries in space could include pharmaceutical research that benefits from microgravity, advanced manufacturing and orbital data centers powered by nearly continuous solar energy. While many of those concepts remain experimental, NASA believes commercial demand will be critical to sustaining long-term exploration. The administrator also said he believes scientists have a strong chance of finding evidence that microbial life once existed on Mars as future sample-return missions advance. Similar discoveries could eventually come from icy moons orbiting Saturn and other worlds throughout the solar system, he said. Isaacman brings an unconventional background to NASA. After leaving high school as a teenager, he founded payment processing company Shift4, later becoming a billionaire entrepreneur before flying two private space missions. He commanded the Inspiration4 mission in 2021 and became the first private astronaut to perform a spacewalk during the Polaris Dawn mission in 2024 before being selected to lead NASA. Since taking over the agency, Isaacman has emphasized streamlining NASA’s operations while increasing investment in advanced technologies. Among the agency’s priorities are nuclear-powered spacecraft and nuclear propulsion systems, which NASA believes could significantly reduce travel times for future deep-space missions. Isaacman has also called for reducing NASA’s reliance on contractors by expanding its in-house workforce in critical engineering and spacecraft operations, arguing the move could improve efficiency while lowering long-term costs. The renewed lunar effort also comes amid growing competition with China, which has accelerated its own plans for crewed lunar exploration. NASA officials have repeatedly said maintaining U.S. leadership in space is a key objective of the Artemis program. Despite the ambitious goals, Isaacman acknowledged that living on Mars would be far more difficult than life on Earth. Even so, he said expanding humanity beyond a single planet is an important long-term objective that could improve the species’ resilience while inspiring a new generation of scientists, engineers and astronauts. ALSO TRENDING: A nationwide food outbreak is spreading. Here’s why tracking it has been so difficultALSO TRENDING: Dashcam captures chaotic moments before Florida pursuit reaches shocking speedsALSO TRENDING: Mike Golic’s first day back at ESPN was filled with emotion, memories and a fresh startChris Pugh covers trending news and national breaking stories, focusing on the moments, conversations, and cultural flashpoints shaping the national news cycle. Chris worked as a digital reporter for...This article was produced with assistance from AI tools and reviewed by Cleveland.com staff.