US President Donald Trump said Wednesday he believes NASA has “a good shot” at returning astronauts to the Moon’s surface before he leaves the White House. Speaking in the Oval Office as he welcomed the four Artemis 2 astronauts who recently completed a trip around the Moon, Trump acknowledged the challenge but expressed optimism.
Trump’s Remarks on Lunar Ambitions
When asked if he thought the US space agency would achieve the goal before his second term ends in early 2029, Trump said, “we don’t like to say definitely” but “I think we have a good shot.” The president’s comments came during a meeting with the Artemis 2 crew, including astronauts Victor Glover, Christina Koch, Reid Wiseman, and Jeremy Hansen.
Artemis 2 Mission Success
The Artemis 2 mission, which launched earlier this year, successfully sent astronauts around the Moon and back, marking a critical step toward a crewed lunar landing. The mission tested key systems and paved the way for Artemis 3, which aims to land the first woman and next man on the lunar surface.
Trump’s administration has prioritized space exploration, with NASA working toward a Moon landing by 2028 under the Artemis program. The president’s latest statement suggests confidence that the timeline could be accelerated.
