US President Donald Trump on Friday criticised&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/nasa-releases-images-of-power-situation-after-fani-217238">NASA</a>&nbsp;for aiming to put astronauts back on the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/moon-is-steadily-shrinking-causing-wrinkling-on-its-surface-and-quakes-study-218513">moon</a> by 2024 and urged the space agency to focus instead on "much bigger" initiatives like going to Mars, undercutting his previous support for the lunar initiative.

"For all of the money we are spending,&nbsp;NASA&nbsp;should NOT be talking about going to the Moon - We did that 50 years ago," the president wrote on Twitter. "They should be focused on the much bigger things we are doing, including Mars (of which the Moon is a part), Defence and Science!"

Trump's statement, tweeted from Air Force One as he returned from Europe, appeared at odds with his administration's recent push to return humans to the lunar surface by 2024 "by any means necessary," five years sooner than the previous goal of 2028.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nasa-to-open-international-space-station-to-tourists-from-2020-225333">NASA to open International Space Station to tourists from 2020</a>

NASA&nbsp;plans to build a space outpost in lunar orbit that can relay astronauts to the lunar surface by 2024, part of a broader initiative to use the moon as a staging ground for eventual missions to Mars.&nbsp;NASA&nbsp;administrator Jim Bridenstine said Trump was only reaffirmingNASA's space plan.

"As @POTUS said, @NASA&nbsp;is using the Moon to send humans to Mars!,” he said on Friday in a tweet referring to the President of the United States. The accelerated timetable to land humans on the moon by 2024 ran into early trouble when the Trump administration asked a sceptical Congress in May to increase&nbsp;NASA's 2020 budget proposal by $1.6 billion as a “down payment” to accommodate the accelerated goal.

The accelerated timetable for going to the moon was a key recommendation in March of the new National Space Council led by Vice President Mike Pence.

Watch: The Moon is shrinking due to earthquakes, claims study

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'Sustainable human presence'

NASA's website on Friday said the Artemis program would send "the first woman and the next man to the Moon by 2024 and develop a sustainable human presence on the Moon by 2028." The program takes its name from the twin sister of Apollo and the goddess of the moon in Greek mythology.

NASA's Apollo program landed the first men on the moon 50 years ago on July 20.

The&nbsp;NASA&nbsp;website also provided details on the space agency's plans for making the moon a jumping off point for future missions to Mars and a place to test equipment and technology for other forays out into the solar system.

Trump's comments about the US&nbsp;manned space program reflect his desire to champion a bold new national objective as he mounts a re-election bid, while also seeking to counter the potential space weaponry capabilities of Russia and China.

Private companies are also joining the race to the moon.

Billionaire entrepreneur Jeff Bezos last month unveiled a mock-up of a lunar lander being built by his Blue Origin rocket company and touted his moon goals as part of a strategy aimed at capitalizing on the Trump administration’s push to establish a lunar outpost in just five years.

US President Donald Trump on Friday criticised NASA for aiming to put astronauts back on the moon by 2024 and urged the space agency to focus instead on "much bigger" initiatives like going to Mars, undercutting his previous support for the lunar initiative.

US President Donald Trump on Friday criticised NASA for aiming to put astronauts back on the moon by 2024 and urged the space agency to focus instead on "much bigger" initiatives like going to Mars, undercutting his previous support for the lunar initiative. "For all of the money we are spending, NASA should NOT be talking about going to the Moon - We did that 50 years ago," the president wrote on Twitter. "They should be focused on the much bigger things we are doing, including Mars (of which the Moon is a part), Defence and Science!" Trump's statement, tweeted from Air Force One as he returned from Europe, appeared at odds with his administration's recent push to return humans to the lunar surface by 2024 "by any means necessary," five years sooner than the previous goal of 2028. Also read: NASA to open International Space Station to tourists from 2020 NASA plans to build a space outpost in lunar orbit that can relay astronauts to the lunar surface by 2024, part of a broader initiative to use the moon as a staging ground for eventual missions to Mars. NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine said Trump was only reaffirmingNASA's space plan. "As @POTUS said, @NASA is using the Moon to send humans to Mars!,” he said on Friday in a tweet referring to the President of the United States. The accelerated timetable to land humans on the moon by 2024 ran into early trouble when the Trump administration asked a sceptical Congress in May to increase NASA's 2020 budget proposal by $1.6 billion as a “down payment” to accommodate the accelerated goal. The accelerated timetable for going to the moon was a key recommendation in March of the new National Space Council led by Vice President Mike Pence. Watch: The Moon is shrinking due to earthquakes, claims study × 'Sustainable human presence' NASA's website on Friday said the Artemis program would send "the first woman and the next man to the Moon by 2024 and develop a sustainable human presence on the Moon by 2028." The program takes its name from the twin sister of Apollo and the goddess of the moon in Greek mythology. NASA's Apollo program landed the first men on the moon 50 years ago on July 20. The NASA website also provided details on the space agency's plans for making the moon a jumping off point for future missions to Mars and a place to test equipment and technology for other forays out into the solar system. Trump's comments about the US manned space program reflect his desire to champion a bold new national objective as he mounts a re-election bid, while also seeking to counter the potential space weaponry capabilities of Russia and China. Private companies are also joining the race to the moon. Billionaire entrepreneur Jeff Bezos last month unveiled a mock-up of a lunar lander being built by his Blue Origin rocket company and touted his moon goals as part of a strategy aimed at capitalizing on the Trump administration’s push to establish a lunar outpost in just five years.

'They should be focused on much bigger things!' Trump criticises NASA moon mission

<a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/india-news/chandrayaan-2-modules-getting-ready-for-launch-in-july-isro-215126&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiizpqzqZ3iAhWLQY8KHbIlADsQFjAAegQIBBAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw1v-mBKK7Z6P4RJkCsLoaJ5">India's second Moon mission</a> that is planned for a July launch will have 13 payloads and one passive experiment from American space agency NASA, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) said Wednesday.

"Thirteen Indian payloads (8 on the orbiter, 3 on lander and 2 on rover) and one passive experiment from NASA," ISRO said in a mission update but did not specify them or their objective.

The spacecraft with a mass of 3.8 tonnes has three modules--Orbiter, Lander (Vikram) and Rover (Pragyan).

All the modules are getting ready for <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/india-news/ex-isro-chief-says-chandrayaan-2-will-look-for-specific-minerals-on-moons-surface-215526&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiizpqzqZ3iAhWLQY8KHbIlADsQFjABegQIDhAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw0pwwVwLdLstj7VXAJs2cAU">Chandrayaan-2</a> launch during the window of July 9 to July 16, 2019, with an expected Moon landing on September 6, the space agency had said earlier this month.

The orbiter will orbit 100 km from the lunar surface, while Lander (Vikram) will do the soft landing near the south pole of the moon, and Rover (Pragyan) will conduct in-situ experiments.

The orbiter and lander modules will be interfaced mechanically and stacked together as an integrated module and accommodated inside the GSLV MK-III launch vehicle, ISRO has said, adding the rover is housed inside the lander.

After launching into earth-bound orbit by GSLV MK-III, the integrated module will reach Moon orbit using orbiter propulsion module, and subsequently, the lender will separate from the orbiter and soft land at the predetermined site close to the lunar South Pole.

Further, the rover will roll out for carrying out scientific experiments on the lunar surface, ISRO has said, noting that instruments are also mounted on lander and orbiter for carrying out scientific experiments.

ISRO Chairman K Sivan had said in January, "We are going to land at a place where nobody else has gone-the Moon's the South Pole... It is unexplored region."

Chandrayaan-2 mission is an advanced version of the previous Chandrayaan-1 mission about 10 years ago.

Chandrayaan-1 had 11 payloads- five from India, three from Europe, 2 from USA and 1 from Bulgaria, and the mission had the credit for the discovery of water on the lunar surface.

The 1.4-tonne spacecraft was launched using PSLV and the orbiter had orbited 100 km from the lunar surface.

India's second Moon mission that is planned for a July launch will have 13 payloads and one passive experiment from American space agency NASA, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) said Wednesday.

India's second Moon mission that is planned for a July launch will have 13 payloads and one passive experiment from American space agency NASA, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) said Wednesday. "Thirteen Indian payloads (8 on the orbiter, 3 on lander and 2 on rover) and one passive experiment from NASA," ISRO said in a mission update but did not specify them or their objective. The spacecraft with a mass of 3.8 tonnes has three modules--Orbiter, Lander (Vikram) and Rover (Pragyan). All the modules are getting ready for Chandrayaan-2 launch during the window of July 9 to July 16, 2019, with an expected Moon landing on September 6, the space agency had said earlier this month. The orbiter will orbit 100 km from the lunar surface, while Lander (Vikram) will do the soft landing near the south pole of the moon, and Rover (Pragyan) will conduct in-situ experiments. The orbiter and lander modules will be interfaced mechanically and stacked together as an integrated module and accommodated inside the GSLV MK-III launch vehicle, ISRO has said, adding the rover is housed inside the lander. After launching into earth-bound orbit by GSLV MK-III, the integrated module will reach Moon orbit using orbiter propulsion module, and subsequently, the lender will separate from the orbiter and soft land at the predetermined site close to the lunar South Pole. Further, the rover will roll out for carrying out scientific experiments on the lunar surface, ISRO has said, noting that instruments are also mounted on lander and orbiter for carrying out scientific experiments. ISRO Chairman K Sivan had said in January, "We are going to land at a place where nobody else has gone-the Moon's the South Pole... It is unexplored region." Chandrayaan-2 mission is an advanced version of the previous Chandrayaan-1 mission about 10 years ago. Chandrayaan-1 had 11 payloads- five from India, three from Europe, 2 from USA and 1 from Bulgaria, and the mission had the credit for the discovery of water on the lunar surface. The 1.4-tonne spacecraft was launched using PSLV and the orbiter had orbited 100 km from the lunar surface.

Chandrayaan-2 will have 13 payloads, one passive experiment from NASA: ISRO

Former ISRO chairman G Madhavan Nair said India's second lunar mission Chandrayaan-2, which is scheduled to be launched between July 9 and 16, will look for specific minerals on the surface of the moon.

Speaking to ANI, Nair said, "Chandrayaan-2 is going to be an exciting mission as far as the Indian space programme is concerned. In 2008, we had sent our first satellite to the moon successfully. It has collected a lot of information about the surface of the moon, its mineral contents and so on. Also, we had the opportunity to place the Indian national flag on the surface of the moon. "

Elaborating on Chandrayaan-2, he said, "There were a lot of complexities associated with this mission. Since the development of the system is complete, we are ready for the mission. More importantly, it is important to carry a rover and make it land on the surface of the moon and then move around for about 300-500 meters and collect samples from the surface of the moon."

ISRO on May 2 said the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark III (GSLVMKIII) will carry three modules of this lunar mission- Orbiter, Lander (Vikram) and Rover (Pragyam).

"All the modules are getting ready for Chandrayaan-2 launch, with an expected Moon landing on September 06, 2019," ISRO said in a statement.

ISRO had initially planned to launch the mission in April this year.

"The Orbiter and Lander modules will be interfaced mechanically and stacked together as an integrated module and accommodated inside the GSLV MK-III launch vehicle," read a statement issued by the Department of Space.

"The Rover is housed inside the Lander. After launch into earthbound orbit by GSLV MK-III, the integrated module will reach Moon orbit using Orbiter propulsion module. Subsequently, Lander will separate from the Orbiter and soft land at the predetermined site close to the lunar South Pole. Further, the Rover will roll out for carrying out scientific experiments on the lunar surface. Instruments are also mounted on Lander and Orbiter for carrying out scientific experiments," the statement further read.

Chandrayaan-2 comes 10 years after ISRO launched its first lunar mission, Chandrayaan-1, in 2009. The mission included a lunar orbiter and an impactor but didn't include a rover like Chandrayaan-2.&nbsp;

Former ISRO chairman G Madhavan Nair said India's second lunar mission Chandrayaan-2, which is scheduled to be launched between July 9 and 16, will look for specific minerals on the surface of the moon.

Former ISRO chairman G Madhavan Nair said India's second lunar mission Chandrayaan-2, which is scheduled to be launched between July 9 and 16, will look for specific minerals on the surface of the moon. Speaking to ANI, Nair said, "Chandrayaan-2 is going to be an exciting mission as far as the Indian space programme is concerned. In 2008, we had sent our first satellite to the moon successfully. It has collected a lot of information about the surface of the moon, its mineral contents and so on. Also, we had the opportunity to place the Indian national flag on the surface of the moon. " Elaborating on Chandrayaan-2, he said, "There were a lot of complexities associated with this mission. Since the development of the system is complete, we are ready for the mission. More importantly, it is important to carry a rover and make it land on the surface of the moon and then move around for about 300-500 meters and collect samples from the surface of the moon." ISRO on May 2 said the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark III (GSLVMKIII) will carry three modules of this lunar mission- Orbiter, Lander (Vikram) and Rover (Pragyam). "All the modules are getting ready for Chandrayaan-2 launch, with an expected Moon landing on September 06, 2019," ISRO said in a statement. ISRO had initially planned to launch the mission in April this year. "The Orbiter and Lander modules will be interfaced mechanically and stacked together as an integrated module and accommodated inside the GSLV MK-III launch vehicle," read a statement issued by the Department of Space. "The Rover is housed inside the Lander. After launch into earthbound orbit by GSLV MK-III, the integrated module will reach Moon orbit using Orbiter propulsion module. Subsequently, Lander will separate from the Orbiter and soft land at the predetermined site close to the lunar South Pole. Further, the Rover will roll out for carrying out scientific experiments on the lunar surface. Instruments are also mounted on Lander and Orbiter for carrying out scientific experiments," the statement further read. Chandrayaan-2 comes 10 years after ISRO launched its first lunar mission, Chandrayaan-1, in 2009. The mission included a lunar orbiter and an impactor but didn't include a rover like Chandrayaan-2.

Ex-ISRO chief says Chandrayaan-2 will look for specific minerals on moon's surface

The Indian Space Research Organisation&#39;s second satellite to the moon, Chandrayaan-2, is likely to get launched by next month, ISRO announced yesterday. This time around, ISRO plans to send a rover to explore the lunar surface.

Chandrayaan-2 will be India&#39;s second mission to the Moon. In case the April launch is not successful, another attempt will be made in October this year.

&quot;We are aiming for the launch of Chandrayaan-2 in April. In case we are unable to do so, then we will try for a launch by October,&quot; Indian Space Research Organisation chairman K Sivan noted.

The Chandrayaan-2 satellite will include an orbiter, a lander and a six-wheeled rover which will facilitate its movement around the landing site. The satellite will be equipped with instruments that would send back data useful in analysing the lunar soil.

Scientists are also gearing up for the launch of a communication satellite, GSAT-6 on-board GSLV-F08, scheduled later this month.

&quot;Our immediate plan is a GSLV flight. We are planning to launch it by the end of this month. After that we plan to launch navigation satellite IRNSS-1I,&quot; shared Sivan.

The GSAT-6A is a communication satellite which will provide a platform for developing technologies. It would be useful in satellite-based mobile communication applications.

(With inputs from agencies)

Scientists are also gearing up for the launch of communication satellite GSAT-6

The Indian Space Research Organisation's second satellite to the moon, Chandrayaan-2, is likely to get launched by next month, ISRO announced yesterday. This time around, ISRO plans to send a rover to explore the lunar surface. Chandrayaan-2 will be India's second mission to the Moon. In case the April launch is not successful, another attempt will be made in October this year. "We are aiming for the launch of Chandrayaan-2 in April. In case we are unable to do so, then we will try for a launch by October," Indian Space Research Organisation chairman K Sivan noted. The Chandrayaan-2 satellite will include an orbiter, a lander and a six-wheeled rover which will facilitate its movement around the landing site. The satellite will be equipped with instruments that would send back data useful in analysing the lunar soil. Scientists are also gearing up for the launch of a communication satellite, GSAT-6 on-board GSLV-F08, scheduled later this month. "Our immediate plan is a GSLV flight. We are planning to launch it by the end of this month. After that we plan to launch navigation satellite IRNSS-1I," shared Sivan. The GSAT-6A is a communication satellite which will provide a platform for developing technologies. It would be useful in satellite-based mobile communication applications. (With inputs from agencies)

India's second Moon mission Chandrayaan-2 to launch by April

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