During a recent visit to Mexico City for the U.S.-Mexico Astronomy Cooperation Conference, NASA's Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy outlined ambitious plans for lunar exploration and human missions to Mars. Melroy stated, 'We aim to go to the Moon once a year before the decade ends, allowing for consistent visits and significant advancements with each journey.'
Unlike the Apollo missions, which operated as temporary camps between 1969 and 1972, the current objective is to establish a more permanent presence. 'Apollo stayed for a few days; now we are talking about building a space station around the Moon to support logistics,' Melroy explained.
This endeavor presents complex architectural challenges and requires substantial supplies, including food, fuel, and communication systems. Melroy emphasized the importance of collaboration with international partners, stating, 'Each of our key partners has shown interest in specific areas, and I hope Mexico finds its role on the Moon.'
As a retired U.S. Air Force officer and astronaut, Melroy highlighted that the lunar settlement is a crucial step toward a potential human landing on Mars. 'I expect that by the late 2030s, we will be ready to start building and planning for Mars missions in the 2040s,' she predicted.
Melroy noted that the success of these projects hinges on financial support, remarking, 'You can only go as fast as the funding allows, just like any project.'
This visit aims to strengthen cooperation between NASA and Mexico, which is set to host the Latin American and Caribbean Space Agency. Melroy expressed interest in Mexico's growing capabilities, especially in electronics, which could be pivotal for future aerospace projects. 'The power of a coalition is that more resources can be pooled, benefiting the entire region,' she concluded, underscoring Mexico's leadership role in Latin America.