NASA Acting Administrator Sean Duffy has declared that the United States will lead in the ‘second space race’ against China by returning to the Moon before President Trump’s term ends. In a newly released video obtained by Fox News Digital, Duffy highlighted the Artemis program as the key to achieving this goal, framing it as the pathway to Mars. Despite budget cut proposals, he asserts that Artemis will remain a cornerstone of U.S. space efforts.
The Artemis I mission, completed in 2022, ended in a successful splashdown after launching the Space Launch System (SLS) and orbiting the Orion spacecraft around the moon during a 25-day mission. Duffy indicated that the Artemis program is here to stay, despite the president proposing a 24% cut to the agency in his budget. Sources at the agency have confirmed that Artemis will play a major role in space exploration and will not be fully gutted by the proposal.
American astronauts haven’t touched the surface of the moon since the Apollo 17 mission in 1972, underscoring the significance of the Artemis program in re-establishing U.S. lunar presence. Duffy emphasized that the U.S. will secure its position in space by establishing a sustained lunar presence, countering China’s ambitions in the region. This strategic move aligns with broader U.S. efforts to maintain technological and scientific leadership in global space exploration.
The announcement comes amid ongoing political and budgetary challenges, including the looming threat of a government shutdown in October. A full continuing resolution was passed in September to fund the government, but the deadline for additional funding approaches, creating uncertainty surrounding NASA’s future. However, sources within the agency remain confident that Artemis will continue to drive U.S. space exploration objectives, ensuring the country’s leadership in the race for space dominance.