NASA Administrator Jacob Isaacman has stated that President Donald Trump has always reminded him that a moon orbit mission is just an opening act, and the next plan is to build a base on the moon. After that, Isaacman said, Trump has pushed him for a mission to Mars, where the United States will plant the "stars and stripes" on the surface. He also mentioned that the Artemis program is currently underway and that the public will be able to follow along in early 2027. Isaacman confirmed that he had spoken with the president several times prior to the Artemis mission launch and that he is excited about American leadership in space.