A new goal for humanity: Towards a permanent presence on the Moon

Space exploration has always been one of humanity's greatest collective achievements. It represents our innate curiosity, our ability to push boundaries, and our aspiration to unite in a greater purpose that transcends borders, ideologies, and differences. In that spirit, I enthusiastically celebrate the recent announcement accelerating the return of humans to the Moon and the establishment of a permanent base.

On December 18, 2025, an executive order was signed committing the United States to returning astronauts to the lunar surface by 2028 through the Artemis program and establishing the initial elements of a permanent lunar outpost by 2030. This plan includes the development of nuclear reactors for sustainable energy on the Moon, partnerships with the private sector, and preparations for future missions to Mars.

This progress comes at a pivotal moment, following NASA's celebration of the fifth anniversary of the Artemis Accords on November 20, 2025. These agreements, established in October 2020, have grown to include 59 nations, with the recent addition of Hungary, Malaysia, and the Philippines. This expansion reflects a growing global commitment to the peaceful, transparent, and responsible exploration of space, in a context where international cooperation is essential to prevent conflict and promote the common good.

NASA Acting Administrator Sean Duffy emphasized how the participation of these new signatories strengthens the global commitment to safe and peaceful exploration, especially at a time when some seek to militarize space. The Artemis Accords promote key principles such as non-interference in the space activities of others, mitigation of orbital debris, interoperability of systems for more efficient operations, and the release of scientific data. In September 2025, a meeting of leaders was held in Sydney, co-hosted by NASA with agencies from Australia and the United Arab Emirates, where global leaders discussed these topics, fostering transparency and information sharing.

In addition, NASA has announced a 2026 workshop for signatories, focused on transparency and data sharing regarding lunar missions, which will help prevent harmful interference. As an example of this collaboration, four CubeSats from South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Argentina, and Germany will fly on the Artemis II mission, demonstrating how diverse nations contribute to a shared effort.

Beyond the technical and strategic aspects—such as attracting private investment, modernizing launch infrastructure, and strengthening space security—what deeply inspires me is the human potential of this initiative. A permanent base on the Moon is not just a technical outpost: it is a step toward expanding human consciousness, a place from which we can observe our fragile Earth with new perspectives, foster innovations that benefit all of humanity (from medical advances to sustainable technologies), and remember that, in the vast cosmos, we are one species.

The Artemis program, with its emphasis on international collaboration and the involvement of the commercial sector, opens the door for more nations and companies to participate. Imagine: scientists from around the world working together on the lunar surface, sustainably extracting resources, building habitats that could serve as models for solving terrestrial challenges like resource scarcity or climate change. With the growth of the Artemis Accords—which have multiplied their number of signatories from just eight founders to 59 in five years—there is a clear surge in the global commitment to shaping a safe, peaceful, and prosperous future in space.

I wholeheartedly support a return to the Moon and the establishment of a permanent base there, not for nationalist or political reasons, but because it represents the next logical step in the evolution of our civilization. It is an investment in the future of humanity, in our scientific knowledge, in our technological capabilities, and, fundamentally, in our collective imagination.

At the same time, we must ensure that this new era of space exploration is conducted with the highest humanistic ideals. We must advocate for international cooperation, for peaceful exploration, for the open exchange of scientific knowledge, and for ensuring that the benefits of these technologies are widely shared. Space should be a frontier that unites humanity, not one that divides it.

At the same time, we must ensure that this new era of space exploration is conducted with the highest humanist ideals. We must advocate for international cooperation, for peaceful exploration, for the open exchange of scientific knowledge, and for ensuring that the benefits of these technologies are widely shared. Space must be a frontier that unites humanity, not one that divides it.

When the first person looks back at Earth from the windows of the permanent lunar base, they will see a world without visible borders, a beautiful and fragile planet floating in the void. This perspective, known as the "overview effect," has transformed every astronaut who has experienced it, giving them a profound appreciation for the unity of life and humanity.

Sources: Official White House and NASA press releases and specialized reports.

Images produced by Gemini and Copilot AI.