This past Monday, President Donald Trump announced that NASA’s new goal would be to return NASA astronauts to the moon and then Mars.  The point of this announcement was to “refocus America’s Space program on human exploration and discovery” said Trump at the announcement. “Space Policy Directive 1”, as it’s called, marks a shift in the treatment of NASA programs from Obama’s administration. President Obama cancelled President George W. Bush’s “Constellation” program in 2010. The program originally intended to send astronauts to the moon by 2020, but after several delays and multiple budget expansions, Obama directed NASA to focus on reaching an asteroid in the 2020s and then Mars in the 2030s.

Recent advancements in thruster technology means that the lofty goal of reaching Mars is feasible, and a trip to the moon could be a good test for new technology. The directive calls for more commercial and international collaboration in the space program, but the trip back to the moon will call for a substantial increase in NASA’s budget that has yet to be addressed by President Trump and his administration.

This announcement was foreshadowed by several informal and formal statements made by both Trump and members of his administration. Vice President Pence made a similar announcement at the first meeting on the National Space Council in October of this year, which marked its first meeting in 25 years. Additionally, both Trump and Pence referenced their desire to send astronauts to the moon in several 2016 campaign speeches. According to Trump, not only is a lunar expedition essential to “commercial and international partnerships”, but would also be a way to expand America’s military capability.

It’s important to note that this directive is by no means a guarantee of a return to the moon. Presidents H.W. and W. Bush also announced a return to the moon, but these projects were eventually cancelled, mainly due to budget constraints. However, if Trump’s plans for NASA, it will be the first time in 45 years that astronauts have landed on the moon. With Trump’s popularity (or rather unpopularity), getting Americans on the moon again could be a good way to get the public thinking positively on Trump’s presidency.

Below is a video from CNN featuring the president’s signing and announcement of the directive.