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Trump orders NASA to send U.S. astronauts back to moon

By Danielle Haynes
President Donald Trump delivers remarks before signing Space Policy Directive 1, in the Roosevelt Room at the White House on Monday. Trump was joined by Vice President Mike Pence (R) and retired astronaut Jack Schmitt (L). The directive assigns the NASA to initiate a space to return American astronauts back to the Moon, and eventually to Mars. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI
1 of 8 | President Donald Trump delivers remarks before signing Space Policy Directive 1, in the Roosevelt Room at the White House on Monday. Trump was joined by Vice President Mike Pence (R) and retired astronaut Jack Schmitt (L). The directive assigns the NASA to initiate a space to return American astronauts back to the Moon, and eventually to Mars. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo

Dec. 11 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump on Monday signed a directive to send U.S. astronauts back to the moon, an order he said would restore American leadership in space.

The directive comes on the 45th anniversary of the day Apollo 17 put the last U.S. astronauts on the moon.

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Trump's directive ordered NASA to send U.S. astronauts back to the moon for the first time since 1972 and establish eventual travel to Mars.

"This time we will not only plant our flag and leave our footprint, we will establish a foundation for an eventual mission to Mars and perhaps, someday, to many worlds beyond," he said. "This directive will ensure America's space program once again leads and inspires all of humanity."

Trump also praised the order because "it also happens to mean jobs."

The White House said the United States would work with international partners and private companies to reach the moon and Mars.

"This is a giant step toward inspiring that future," he said. "We are the leader and we are going to stay the leader."

The National Space Council, headed by Vice President Mike Pence, recommended the action to Trump. Pence said Monday the order will lead to a "renewed American presence on the moon."

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"We will also spur innovation as the space program has always done," the vice president said.

The president resurrected the National Space Council in June, 24 years after it disbanded. President George H.W. Bush created the panel in 1989.

In attendance at the signing Monday were astronauts Jack Schmitt, who walked on the moon as part of Apollo 17; Buzz Aldrin, the second man to walk on the moon; Peggy Whitson; and Christina Koch.

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