The last time NASA landed a spacecraft on the lunar surface was in December 1972. Some would say it is time we returned there.

NASA has revealed a stunning new planet to take America back to the moon. To do so, the space agency will rely on a number of private firms to run the missions.

According to the space agency, they will collaborate with nine private firms, ranging in size from small startups to experienced company like Lockheed Martin, that will develop the necessary technologies to take America back to the moon.

NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine said that a manned lunar base will exist within the decade.

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And to show that they mean business, NASA’s first lunar mission could launch as early as next year.

“We’re building the next chapter of American exploration, returning to the moon – to stay,” the space agency announced in a statement.

“I think that it is possible we can have a presence on the moon with humans within a decade. We’re going to utilize the resources of the moon, and take this all the way to Mars,” said NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine.

Bridenstine, who is a former U.S. Navy fighter pilot said that the new plan to take America to the moon was part of President Trump’s Space Directive-1 policy. 

“Today’s announcement marks tangible progress in America’s return to the Moon’s surface to stay,” he said. 

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“The innovation of America’s aerospace companies, wedded with our big goals in science and human exploration, are going to help us achieve amazing things on the Moon and feed forward to Mars,” Bridenstine added.

To create a continues Moon presence, NASA aims to establish the so-called Commercial Lunar Payload Services Program (CLIPS), which will enable us to come up with the necessary technology to achieve all the goals set forth. 

Returning to the moon isn’t an easy task, nor is it a cheap one.

It will require around $2.6bn for the project, and NASA will have to work with a lot of people and companies to have all the required technology ready on time.

“We want multiple providers that are competing on cost and innovation,” Bridenstine added.

Bridenstine also explained that this time, NASA wasn’t joking around about setting foot on the moon again.