In an interview with Fox News, Duffy said: “We first want to transport equipment and supplies to the Moon’s surface to build a base there, then head to Mars in the early 2030s. It will be an eight-month mission,” noting that the project represents a new phase in American space plans.

He added: “I hope that in April next year, a spacecraft carrying four astronauts will be launched on a mission around the Moon, followed by an actual landing on its surface lasting between 8 and 12 days, whereas the longest previous stay on the Moon did not exceed three days,” pointing out that this step will be a fundamental preparation for the journey to the Red Planet.

Duffy had previously announced that the US administration aims to achieve a manned Moon landing before the end of President Donald Trump’s term.

It is worth noting that NASA launched its lunar program “Artemis” in 2019, consisting of three phases: Artemis 1: an uncrewed mission of the “Orion” spacecraft around the Moon and back to Earth (conducted between November 16 and December 11, 2022). Artemis 2: a crewed mission around the Moon without landing. Artemis 3: a crewed Moon landing as a prelude to sending astronauts later to Mars.

The second and third phases were originally scheduled for 2022 and 2024 respectively, but the dates were repeatedly postponed, with NASA announcing last December the delay of both phases to April 2026 and mid-2027.