President Trump signed an executive order directing NASA to return U.S. astronauts to the Moon by 2028 and to begin a nuclear-powered lunar outpost by 2030. NASA has 90 days to submit a plan to meet those goals, and Artemis II (a crewed lunar flyby in 2026) will be an early test of the program’s viability. A commercial competition between SpaceX and Blue Origin for a Human Landing System is expected to decide who will deliver the first crewed lunar touchdown in decades. The order prioritizes a sustained lunar base before a crewed mission to Mars.
Trump Directs U.S. Return to the Moon by 2028 — NASA Given 90 Days to Deliver Plan
Just an hour or so after Jared Isaacman was sworn in as NASA Administrator, President Donald Trump signed an executive order establishing a new federal space policy and issuing clear objectives for the agency.
The order directs that U.S. astronauts return to the lunar surface by 2028 — the final year of the Trump administration — and calls for the start of a nuclear-powered lunar outpost by 2030. It also tasks NASA with delivering a detailed implementation plan within 90 days “for achieving the policy objectives in this order regarding leading the world in space exploration and expanding human reach and American presence in space.”
Artemis II: An Early Test
As soon as February 2026, the Artemis II mission — a crewed lunar flyby with four astronauts (three American, one Canadian) — will preview whether the broader return program is on track. A successful Artemis II will transform the lunar return from a policy goal into a tangible near-term program, while failure would raise immediate questions about the feasibility of a 2028 landing.
Racing To Land: Human Landing Systems
Nasa will need an operational Human Landing System (HLS) to carry out an Artemis III touchdown in 2028. Both SpaceX and Blue Origin are developing streamlined lunar landers that must be validated with uncrewed missions before they can carry astronauts. Administrator Isaacman’s approach effectively sets up a commercial competition between providers, with the winner slated to ferry the first humans to the Moon in roughly 55 years.
Strategic And Political Stakes
Landing Americans on the Moon before the end of 2028 would be a major geopolitical and symbolic victory, likely edging out Chinese crewed lunar ambitions and delivering a headline-making finish to the administration. Even so, a setback would be disappointing rather than terminal for U.S. lunar plans.
From Lunar Base To Mars Preparation
The executive order prioritizes establishing a sustained lunar presence — including a nuclear-powered base beginning by 2030 — before pursuing crewed Mars missions. Commercial ideas are already being floated, from Moon-based AI data centers to other revenue-generating services, which could help make a permanent outpost financially and operationally sustainable.
"One way or another, at long last, we are going back to the Moon," writes Mark Whittington, a frequent commentator on space policy.
With White House and congressional support, a growing commercial space sector, international partners, and a young, reform-minded NASA administrator, the necessary ingredients appear aligned — though technical, schedule and political risks remain substantial.
About the author: Mark Whittington writes regularly about space policy and is the author of multiple studies and books on lunar and planetary exploration.
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