The National Space Council will look to establish policies to reinvigorate the country’s space missions such as human exploration of the moon, Space News reported Thursday.
Vice President Mike Pence, chairman of the National Space Council, has asked NASA to develop plans for manned lunar missions that could also pave the way for a human expedition to Mars.
“The moon will be a stepping-stone, a training ground, a venue to strengthen our commercial and international partnerships as we refocus America’s space program toward human space exploration,” Pence told audience at inaugural meeting of the reconstituted NSC.
Pence urged the heads of the departments of Commerce and Transportation as well as the Office of Management and Budget to review the current regulatory framework for commercial space.
H.R. McMaster, U.S. national security adviser, said that NSC will also create a space strategic framework designed to support the country’s interests and encourage international cooperation in the space arena.
