Presidential Message on National Astronaut Day

On National Astronaut Day, President Donald J. Trump issued a proclamation honoring the 65th anniversary of Commander Alan Shepard’s historic 1961 flight and celebrating the recent triumphs of the Artemis II mission. The President used the occasion to outline a bold vision for "American Space Dominance," including a permanent lunar settlement and the journey to Mars.Key highlights from the President’s message include:The President paid tribute to Alan Shepard, who on May 5, 1961, became the first American in space. He described Shepard’s courage aboard Freedom 7 as the spark for a glorious era of cosmic discovery that has seen Americans walk on the Moon and land rovers on Mars.The proclamation highlighted the recent success of the Artemis II mission, which saw American astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, along with Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen, travel farther from Earth than any humans in history.The Milestone: Aboard the spacecraft Integrity, the crew traveled 695,081 miles, marking the first human journey around the Moon in over 50 years.The Purpose: The President noted that the data gathered during this mission is essential for the next steps of American exploration.President Trump reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to returning to the lunar surface and beyond:Moon 2028: The goal is to return "American boots" to the Moon by 2028.Lunar Settlement: Unlike previous missions, the administration’s goal is to establish a permanent American settlement on the Moon.Targeting Mars: The Moon will serve as a stepping stone for future missions to the "red dunes of Mars."Under a specific Executive Order, the President detailed a strategy to secure American leadership in the final frontier:Space Nuclear Technology: Advancing nuclear propulsion and power to enable the long-duration journey to Mars.Commercial Innovation: Empowering the private space industry to drive competition and reduce costs.Space Dominance: Ensuring that the United States remains the preeminent power in space for generations to come.As the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary, the President framed the current era as the "dawn of a new Golden Age of space exploration." He concluded by pledging that the American flag will continue to fly as a symbol of freedom across the "vast expanses of the great beyond."Honoring a Legacy of ExcellenceThe Historic Artemis II MissionA Roadmap for the Moon and MarsPolicy: "Ensure American Space Superiority"Conclusion: The New Golden Age