18 April 2026

Why Go to the Moon?


As NASA prepares for Artemis II—the first crewed mission to orbit the Moon in more than 50 years—the United States is entering a new phase of human space exploration. The return to the Moon is not simply a reprise of Apollo, but part of a broader effort to advance scientific discovery, strengthen international partnerships, and compete in an increasingly contested space domain.

This CSIS Aerospace Security Project commentary series brings together experts from government, industry, and the policy community to answer a fundamental question: Why is the United States going to the Moon? Contributors examine the strategic, economic, scientific, and geopolitical drivers behind renewed lunar exploration, as well as what success will require in the years ahead.

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