Trump Pledges U.S. Astronauts Will Land on Mars During Second Term

President Trump, backed by Elon Musk, declares Mars exploration a national priority, but experts question the feasibility of the timeline.

President Donald Trump used his inauguration speech to announce a bold plan to send American astronauts to Mars, framing it as part of the nation's 'manifest destiny.'
Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX and a key supporter of Trump, expressed excitement over the announcement, emphasizing his company's readiness to contribute to the mission.
SpaceX aims to launch uncrewed Mars missions by 2026, with Musk predicting possible crewed landings by 2028, though experts view these timelines as highly optimistic.
Critics, including scientists, warn of significant technical, financial, and political hurdles, with many advocating for continued lunar exploration as a precursor to Mars.
The Mars initiative reflects a growing reliance on public-private partnerships in U.S. space exploration, with Musk's SpaceX playing a central role in advancing interplanetary ambitions.