Former President Donald Trump announced that NASA plans to launch the first nuclear-powered spacecraft to Mars within two years, reaffirming his administration's commitment to expanding American space exploration and the eventual goal of sending astronauts to the Red Planet.
Speaking at the UP Summit at Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Trump stated the mission, planned for 2028, is a significant step toward achieving human presence on Mars. "Within the next two years, NASA will launch the first ever nuclear-powered spacecraft to Mars," he said. "We're going to be paving the way for astronauts to plant the Stars and Stripes on the Red planet."
This initiative aligns with NASA's broader Artemis program, which aims to establish a long-term human presence on the Moon as a precursor to Mars missions. Previous milestones include the Artemis II lunar flyby earlier this year, with Artemis III scheduled to test spacecraft and landing systems in Earth orbit in 2027, followed by a lunar landing attempt in early 2028.
Trump also highlighted his administration's broader vision for space exploration, including efforts to accelerate the U.S. presence beyond Earth. He recently issued an "American Declaration of Freedom in Space," asserting the right for Americans to explore and settle beyond Earth under U.S. law.
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman, who also addressed the summit, discussed the agency's long-term goals and Mars ambitions, stating, "We are going to venture farther into the solar system and move closer to that next giant leap." The ultimate goal, he added, is for "American astronauts plant the Stars and Stripes on Mars."
Additionally, the administration has proposed the establishment of a U.S. Space Academy to train students for careers in space-related fields. Trump concluded by emphasizing his vision for American endeavors in space: "Our calling is to explore. Our purpose is to build, and our aim is always to win."