Science

NASA breakthrough: Agency set for historic first by vowing to put women on Moon by 2024


Donald Trump could be the POTUS behind the groundbreaking first if he wins a second term at next year’s US Presidential election. Should he win Mr Trump will leave office on January 20 2025. NASA is aiming to put the first female astronaut on the moon in 2024.

Administrator Jim Bridenstine explained on Friday the agency will aim to be back on the Moon within five years: “This was not a decision that was made lightly. A lot of hard work has been done here in Huntsville, over—well over—10 years now, regarding landing systems.”

As reported by Newsweek, Mr Brindenstine said the spacecraft will take both male and female astronauts.

Alabama’s Marshall Space Flight Centre is set to be headquarters for the mission and state congressman Mo Brooks said: “Marshall has unique capabilities and expertise not found at other NASA centers. I’m pleased NASA has chosen Marshall to spearhead a key component of America’s return to the Moon and usher in the Artemis era. Thanks to Administrator Bridenstine for traveling here to share the great news in person.”

A plethora of private companies including Blue Origin, Lockheed Martin and SpaceX are developing potential components.

READ MORE: Asteroid Bennu: Is NASA about to answer humanity’s biggest question?

NASA had previously aimed to put astronauts back on the Moon by 2028, but in March Vice President Mike Pence announced an accelerated timeline.

Trump, however, in June tweeted: “For all of the money we are spending, NASA should NOT be talking about going to the Moon – We did that 50 years ago. They should be focused on the much bigger things we are doing, including Mars (of which the Moon is a part), Defense and Science!”

The claim the Moon was part of Mars was incorrect as the Moon is Earth’s moon, Mars has two moons: Phobos and Deimos.

Just 12 astronauts have been on the Moon.

All have been male Americans.

Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin were the fist two on July 21 1969.

They were followed by Peter Conrad and Alan Bean the following November.

Alan Shepard and Edgar Mitchell reached the Moon in February 1971.

Five months later, they were followed by David Scott and James Irwin.

John Young and Charles Duke became numbers nine and ten in April 1972.

That December, Gene Corman and Harrison Schmitt arrived on the Moon with Apollo 17 and Mr Cernan was the last to return to the module, making him the most recent person to walk on the Moon.

Mr Aldrin, 89, Mr Scott, 87, Mr Duke, 83 and Mr Schmitt, 84, are the only astronauts to have walked on the Moon to still be alive.



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