Artemis II Moon mission just an 'opening act', NASA chief says Trump has Mars in mind

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Fresh off a successful lunar mission, NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman has revealed that President Donald Trump is already looking far beyond the Moon with Mars firmly in his sights.

Speaking with Fox News on Saturday, April 11, shortly after the Artemis II mission ended, Isaacman said the president sees current achievements as only the first step in a much bigger space ambition.

NASA chief confirms Trump's push for Mars

In an interview with Kayleigh McEnany on Fox News, Isaacman described the recent lunar progress as an “opening act,” making it clear that future missions are already being planned with long-term goals in mind.

“Trump said, let’s make sure we stay focused, we get back to the surface of the moon, which we're on track to do. And he always reminds me, keep thinking about Mars,” Isaacman said.

Expanding on that vision, he credited Trump’s earlier policies for laying the groundwork.

“There is no question President Trump gave us the Artemis program that’s currently underway right now during his first term,” he said, adding that the broader objective goes beyond returning to the Moon.

According to Isaacman, the strategy is to first establish a sustained presence on the lunar surface, not just brief visits.

“The mandate is not just to go back to the moon but to go back to stay, to build the moon base,” he explained.

That lunar base, he suggested, is critical preparation for future missions to Mars.

“That’s exactly why you build a moon base to master the skills that we can send American astronauts to plant the stars and stripes on Mars someday,” he said.

Isaacman also highlighted Trump’s hands-on interest in the mission, saying the president has been closely engaged throughout.

“He called me several times leading into the launch, checked in once they were on orbit and right after they splashed down,” he said, describing Trump as “incredibly excited” about the mission’s success.

Reiterating the president’s focus, Isaacman added, “He said, let’s make sure we stay focused, and he always reminds me, keep thinking about Mars.”

Jared Isaacman outlines ambitious NASA plan

Isaacman outlined an ambitious but structured roadmap.

Early stages of the Moon program are expected to ramp up within the next few years.

“You’re going to see starting in early 2027 uncrewed robotic landings on the south pole of the moon on almost monthly cadence,” he said, detailing plans to test mobility, power systems, navigation, and resource use on the lunar surface.

At the same time, crewed missions are also being prepared. “Artemis 3 will fly in 2027, and Artemis 4 in 2028 is when American boots are back on the surface of the moon,” he added.

These steps, Isaacman indicated, are essential to solving the technical challenges of deep-space travel before attempting a Mars mission.