NASA is accelerating preparations for the return of astronauts to the moon, with the goal of starting building a permanent base there within a few years.

American space agency administrator Jared Isaacman has reaffirmed ambitious plans to send astronauts to the moon in 2028 before the end of American President Donald Trump’s mandate.

During a speech at the Kennedy Space Centre, Isaacman confirmed that NASA aims to launch the Artemis III mission in the summer of 2027.

This mission will not include landing astronauts on the moon, but it will serve to test space shuttle connections with lunar landing tools in Earth’s orbit.

These tools are being developed by the SpaceX companies of Elon Musk and Blue Origin of Jeff Bezos.

However, NASA has not yet made the final decision on which of them will use the moon landing.

As the Artemis IV mission, scheduled for 2028, is expected to complete the return of astronauts to the lunar surface for the first time in over half a century.

They are projected to stay for about a week on the moon, where they will carry out scientific missions and research.

According to the Associated Press, Isaacman said NASA is trying to speed up work.

However, the accelerated pace has raised questions about whether the rush to realise missions could affect the technical controls and safety of astronauts.

Isaacman said that success NASA will not rely on new technologies or modern management philosophies, but on the agency’s historical experience.

He set the program Apollo, through which NASA managed to switch from Apollo 7 to the historic descent of Apollo 11 on the moon in just nine months.

However, future plans present unprecedented challenges.

NASA aims to build a base near the southern moon policy, an area where no Apollo mission has descended, as all of their landings were completed near the lunar equator.

Another uncertainty is linked to the SpaceX company’s Starship missile selected by NASA to help realise the moon landing.

Although the missile has managed to complete its first orbit around the Earth, a test flight was cut off because of a motor defect.

SpaceX still has to prove that Starship is enough for future missions, as well as demonstrate other technical skills, including fuel supplies in space.

It’s an extremely ambitious target, the astronaut said. NASA, Frank Rubio, selected for the Artemis III mission.

However, he expressed confidence in American capacities, adding: One thing I’ve always believed and learned is that you shouldn’t bet against America. /Telegraphy/