Trump vows to send American astronauts to the moon

Donald Trump, the President of the United states signed the Space Policy Directive 1 to send astronauts to the moon again and to Mars for the first time in history.

The POTUS vowed he would ensure the US remains the leader in the space race.

"The directive I am signing today will refocus America's space program on human exploration and discovery," Trump said.

"We are the leader and we're going to stay the leader, and we’re going to increase it many fold," said Trump.

"It marks an important step in returning American astronauts to the moon for the first time since 1972 for long-term exploration and use,” the president added.

“The directive I am signing today will refocus America’s space program on human exploration and discovery, It marks a first step in returning American astronauts to the Moon for the first time since 1972, for long-term exploration and use." - @POTUS Trump pic.twitter.com/tNNUz06vEb

— NASA (@NASA) 11 de diciembre de 2017

Vice President Mike Pence backed up his boss, saying that a renewed American presence on the Moon was vital to achieve strategic objectives, create jobs and spur innovation. "We’ll see jobs created that we couldn’t even image could be created today."

"We are the leader and we’re going to stay the leader" - President Trump

Yet a trip to the moon would require funds that were lacking. NASA would need more money and more key hardware for a lunar landing, possibly forcing the agency to team-up with private companies in order to fund the mission.

Trump was expected to make his annual budget request early in 2018 and it was believed he might ask for more money for NASA projects. According to NASA, returning to the moon could cost over $100bn.

If the budget remained tight then Trump might decide to cut other space programs in order to make room for the lunar mission.

According to the president this mission heralded a return to space exploration and not just carrying out projects limited to orbiting Earth.

"The pioneer spirit has always defined America. This is a giant step toward that inspiring future and reclaiming America's proud destiny in space."