NASA Chief Says Trump Pushing for Mars Mission After Artemis

Administrator Jacob Isaacman says the former president is eager to plant the 'stars and stripes' on Mars

Apr. 11, 2026 at 7:40pm

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A highly structured abstract painting in earthy tones of red, orange, and brown, featuring sweeping geometric arcs, concentric planetary circles, and precise botanical spirals, conceptually representing the complex forces and concepts behind NASA's plans for a crewed mission to Mars.As NASA sets its sights on Mars, the agency's plans for a crewed mission to the red planet take shape through a bold, abstract visualization.Houston Today

In a post-Artemis II mission interview with Fox News, NASA Administrator Jacob Isaacman revealed that former President Donald Trump has repeatedly pushed him to focus on sending American astronauts to Mars after establishing a base on the moon. Isaacman said Trump views the Artemis moon missions as just the 'opening act' before the U.S. plants its flag on the surface of Mars.

Why it matters

The Artemis program, initiated under the Trump administration, represents a major shift in NASA's priorities back towards crewed deep space exploration after years of focus on low-Earth orbit missions. Trump's reported eagerness to move quickly from the moon to Mars could accelerate the timelines for a crewed Mars mission, which has long been a goal for the U.S. space program.

The details

According to Isaacman, the plan is to establish an operational base on the moon starting in 2027 with uncrewed robotic landings, followed by the first crewed Artemis mission to the lunar surface in 2028. However, Trump has repeatedly urged Isaacman to keep his sights set on an eventual Mars mission, where the U.S. can 'plant the stars and stripes' on the red planet.

  • NASA plans to begin uncrewed robotic landings on the moon's south pole in early 2027.
  • Artemis 3, the first crewed Artemis mission to the lunar surface, is scheduled for 2027.
  • Artemis 4, which will return American astronauts to the moon, is planned for 2028.

The players

Jacob Isaacman

The current Administrator of NASA, appointed by President Trump in 2021.

Donald Trump

The former President of the United States, who initiated the Artemis program and has repeatedly urged NASA to focus on a crewed mission to Mars.

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What they’re saying

“He said, let's make sure we stay focused, we get back to the surface of the moon, which we're on track to do. And he always reminds me, keep thinking about Mars.”

— Jacob Isaacman, NASA Administrator

What’s next

NASA plans to continue its uncrewed robotic landings on the moon in 2027 as it works to establish a permanent base, paving the way for the first crewed Artemis mission to the lunar surface later that year. The agency is also accelerating its plans for a future crewed mission to Mars, in line with former President Trump's repeated urging.

The takeaway

The Artemis program, initiated under the Trump administration, represents a major shift in NASA's priorities back towards crewed deep space exploration. Trump's reported eagerness to move quickly from the moon to Mars could accelerate the timelines for a crewed Mars mission, which has long been a goal for the U.S. space program.