Trump vows to plant flag on Mars, omits mention of Moon return

US President Donald Trump is thought to be joined in his desire by his close ally and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk. PHOTO: EPA-EFE

UPDATED Jan 21, 2025, 07:21 AM

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WASHINGTON - US President Donald Trump vowed on Jan 20 to “plant the Stars and Stripes on the planet Mars” but made no mention of Nasa’s planned return to the Moon, heightening speculation about his space strategy.

During his first term, the Republican launched the Artemis programme to return astronauts to the Moon as a stepping stone to the Red Planet – yet even then he expressed doubts about the Moon’s necessity.

“We will pursue our manifest destiny into the stars, launching American astronauts to plant the Stars and Stripes on the planet Mars,” he said in his inauguration speech at the US Capitol in Washington, remarks unlikely to quell the idea he wants to skip the Moon.

Mr Trump is thought to be joined in his desire by his close ally and Mr Elon Musk, the CEO of SpaceX, who envisages colonising Mars with the help of his prototype rocket Starship.

Mr Musk retweeted a clip of himself raising two thumbs up, grinning, and clapping wildly as Mr Trump made his remarks.