NASA to put people on the moon by 2028 - and Mars is next

NASA aims to send a manned mission to the moon in 2028 – the first time that humans have travelled there since 1972.

The space agency said it is ‘on the cusp of accomplishing more than we’ve ever been able to accomplish before,’ as President Trump unveiled a new budget.

The budget – $500m (£380m) less than last year – will ‘continue building the key components of the exploration campaign that will send astronauts to the moon and beyond’, NASA said.

The budget includes a new ‘Lunar Gateway’ space station which will orbit the moon by the nimd-2020s, and budget for a manned mission to the moon by 2028.

NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine said, ‘For the first time in over 10 years, we have money in this budget for a return to the Moon with humans.

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‘I’m talking human-rated landers, compatible with Gateway, that can go back and forth to the surface of the moon.

‘The moon is the proving ground; Mars is the horizon goal.’