During his Fourth of July address in Washington, D.C., President Donald Trump highlighted recent advancements in the United States’ space exploration efforts, asserting that the country is “going to Mars very soon.” The 80-year-old leader appeared briefly fatigued during the speech but emphasized America’s leadership in the space race against competitors such as China and Russia.

Trump introduced the crew of Artemis II, the NASA mission that completed the first crewed flyby of the Moon in over five decades. The astronauts—Victor Glover, Christina Koch, Reid Wiseman, and Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen—were recognized onstage for their roles in the mission. The President praised their achievements and indicated that lunar exploration remains a key stepping stone toward future missions to Mars.

Joining the astronauts was Harrison Schmitt, one of the last living Apollo 17 astronauts who walked on the Moon in 1972. Schmitt’s presence underscored the historical significance of the U.S. space program and its ongoing aspirations.

NASA aims to continue its Artemis program with Artemis IV, which is planned to be the first crewed lunar landing of the modern era, scheduled for 2028. The program seeks to establish a sustainable human presence on the Moon as a precursor to more distant manned missions, including Mars.