Billionaire Jared Isaacman, nominated by US President Donald Trump to head NASA, announced plans to return the United States to the Moon and send missions to Mars. According to him, over $100 billion has been spent since 1989, but desired results have not been achieved.
"We definitely cannot afford to lose. If we don't lead and find ourselves following [China], it's possible that we will be forced to follow them indefinitely, with colossal consequences," noted Isaacman.
The main priority of NASA will be the dispatch and landing of American astronauts on Mars. The United States "will inevitably obtain opportunities for returning to the Moon and determine the advantages of maintaining a presence [of people] on the lunar surface in terms of science, economy, and national security".
China plans to land taikonauts on the Moon by 2030. For this purpose, two carrier rockets will be launched into circumlunar orbit that will deliver the spacecraft and landing module. After docking, the taikonauts will enter the descent module and land on the lunar surface.