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The NASA chief appeared alongside US Vice President Mike Pence at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Washington on Tuesday, August 20th. Bridenstine and Pence spoke about NASA's Artemis program and how the return to the moon will serve as a stepping stone to Mars and beyond. The administrator, in particular, said that he was excited about the prospect of a woman landing on the moon, which, he said, is "too long-awaited" . In his opening remarks, Pence told reporters that NASA "is on the right track" to achieve this goal.
As part of NASA's Artemis program, the first human crews are expected to return to the moon by 2024.
No humans have set foot on the moon since the end of the Apollo and Apollo 17 program in 1972.
Mr. Bridenstine said: "In recent months, since the National Space Council, we have also named the Artemis program, which has been an important step.
"It was you who wrote the speech yourself and I was there when you did it, and you said," We are going to put the first woman on the moon. "
READ MORE: The leader confirms that NASA is on the right track to land on the moon
"And I will tell you that a lot of people, including my 11-year-old daughter, were energized.
"She says she wants to be a teacher for now, but she's certainly happy to bring a woman to the moon.
"And I'd like to say that 50 years ago we had Apollo and it turns out that in Greek mythology, Apollo had a twin sister.
"She called Artemis and was the goddess of the moon. This time, when we go to the moon, we have a very diverse and highly trained astronaut body, made up of women, long overdue. We are so excited about this. "
READ MORE: Will humans be ready to live in space in only 25 years?
NASA's first Artemis mission, dubbed Artemis 1, is scheduled for launch in 2020.
The unprepared mission will fly to the moon using NASA's powerful Space Launch System (SLS) and pave the way for manned missions four years later.
Artemis 2 will be launched in 2022, followed by the construction of the Lunar Bridge – a maintenance and refueling space station near the Moon.
After that, the first human crew from Apollo 17 will move to the Moon and Moon Gate in 2024 with Artemis 3.
READ MORE: Apollo 11 insider reveals why going to Mars is a "distant dream"
By 2028, NASA intends to establish a permanent and sustainable human presence around the South Pole of the Moon.
NASA thinks it will help astronauts prepare for a trip to Mars by 2030.
Pence said on Tuesday: "NASA is working with industry leaders to develop plans for the Lunar Gateway – an advanced refueling station that will help us develop technologies, test systems and train new aircraft. astronauts for the very first crewed voyage on Mars.
"Our Moon to Mars mission is on the right track and America is again leading in the exploration of the human rhythm. Do not doubt it. "
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