After Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, 10 other U.S. astronauts visited the moon. But no one has set foot there since 1972. That may soon change. President Donald Trump wants the U.S. to send astronauts back to the moon as soon as 2024. He says this “will ensure America’s space program once again leads and inspires all of humanity.”
Supporters of the plan say a new moon mission would help the U.S. remain a leader in space exploration. They worry that the U.S. is falling behind other nations, especially China. In January, China became the first country to land a rover on the far side of the moon (the area of the moon not visible from Earth). Plus, the president says, a lunar mission could prepare astronauts for trips to Mars.
But others argue that returning to the moon would be a step backward. Instead, they want NASA to focus on going deeper into space. Besides, some say, the best way to explore space is with robots, not humans. Robots are safer and cheaper since they don’t need to return to Earth.