Image: US President Donald Trump in front of reporters returning to the White House on June 7, 2019 in Washington. Win McNamee / Getty Images.
A few days ago, the president of the United States Donald Trump made a mistake that, if it is not a misunderstanding, is one of the biggest blunders that a public figure of his stature has committed. From his tweet, published on June 7, it can be extracted that “the Moon is part of Mars.”
“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! ” . “For all the money we’re spending, NASA should not be talking about going to the moon – that and we did 50 years ago -. We should be focused on the much bigger things that we are doing, including Mars (of which the Moon is a part). Defense and science! “
What hides behind these statements, somewhat confusing for public opinion, is a criticism of this statement published by NASA on the same day June 7, which describes how NASA is opening the International Space Station for commercial matters. , as the statement cites, “so that US industry can accelerate a thriving commercial economy in Earth orbit.”
Trump’s criticism is directed at NASA, which instead focuses on its goal of getting the first woman and the next man to reach the Moon in 2024 (the last time the human did it was in 1972).
NASA CFO Jeff DeWit discussed the details of the plan, a detailed five-part program, at a press conference later that day.
The tricky point is that, to achieve the ambitious goals, this plan sets prices for the industrial use of the resources of the United States Government : for commercial activities, creating the opportunity for private astronaut missions to the space station, allowing commercial destinations in low Earth orbit, identifying and pursuing activities that foster new and emerging markets, and quantifying NASA’s long-term demand for activities in low Earth orbit.
Regardless of Trump’s criticism of this reversal, there is the fact of the outrageous claim that Earth’s natural satellite is “a part” of Mars.
Some Twitter users tried to find another interpretation of the president’s words:
“Maybe” Mars (of which the Moon is a part) ”is Trump speak for using the mission to the moon as an intermediate staging area for the ultimate mission to Mars? If that’s the case, why should NASA ‘NOT be talking about going to the Moon? ‘” Perhaps the phrase” Mars (of which the Moon is a part) “is a speech by Trump to express that he would use the mission to the Moon as an intermediate area of the final mission to Mars. Although, if that is the case, why should NASA “NOT talk about going to the Moon”?
The president has not clarified the true meaning of his statements, nor have they corrected the scandalous misunderstanding, which has gone viral on the networks these days.
Private astronaut missions
NASA is also allowing private astronaut missions of up to 30 days to the International Space Station to perform the tasks corresponding to the approved commercial and marketing activities outlined in the directive published Friday, with the first mission in 2020.
If the market supports it, the agency will be able to host up to two short-term private astronaut missions per year to the International Space Station. These missions will be financed by the private sector, dedicated commercial space flights. The private astronaut missions will use a US spacecraft developed under NASA’s commercial crew program.
