NASA announcement: Space agency to establish moon base ‘within a DECADE’

Now they hope to get humans back there “within the next decade.”

Mr Bridentstine added: “More than two-thirds of Americans today were not even alive to witness the six successful Apollo moon landings, myself included.

“Extraordinary as they were, for many the lunar expeditions are facts from history books or stories told by older relatives.

“But unlike Apollo, this time we’re going to the moon to stay, and from there we’ll take the next giant leap in deep space exploration.

“Billions of people around the world will watch history being made as astronauts explore more of the surface for longer periods of time than ever before, and help us prepare for missions to Mars and other destinations.”