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Space Coast residents weigh in on Trump directive to send Americans back to moon, later Mars

President Donald Trump signed a new space mandate at a White House ceremony Monday afternoon, announcing his administration's intent to send American astronauts back to the moon and eventually to Mars.

Space Policy Directive 1 "will refocus America's space program on human exploration and discovery," Trump said during remarks at the ceremony.

“It marks an important step in returning American astronauts to the moon for the first time since 1972 for long-term exploration and use. This time, we will not only plant our flag and leave our footprint, we will establish a foundation for an eventual mission to Mars and perhaps, some day, to many worlds beyond,” he said.

Dale Ketcham, with Space Florida, was skeptical about the announcement, as it is not the first time a president has touted Americans once again walking on the moon.

"It comes with the same uncertainty that previous presidents' pronouncements have done," Ketcham said. "There's no formal commitment of budget."

For Orion Program worker Barry Bohnsack, though, sees Trump's announcement as big news.

"It means we keep sending rockets up, and we're eventually going to Mars," he said. "The first stop is going to be the moon, and we get to keep exploring."

Titusville resident Dennis Kim mirrored Bohnsack's feelings.

"We get to go on and have our finest for what we do here," he said. "Just launching rockets and keep it going."

While hesitant about how Trump's announcement would affect the future of the space program, Ketcham said he appreciated it for being forward-thinking.

"People remember the space program because of the exploration component," he said. "And reinvigorating that, I think, is helpful for everybody, and encouraging for all of us."

Vice President Mike Pence, chairman of  the National Space Council, also spoke at the signing ceremony, calling the new directive "a momentous occasion in the history of American space exploration."

Pence said the new directive will “ensure that America will lead in space once again.”

“Establishing a renewed American presence on the moon is vital to achieve our strategic objectives and the objectives outlined by our National Space Council.” he said.

The move comes after recommendations by the National Space Council.

Trump signed an executive order in June re-establishing the National Space Council's oversight of NASA. The council was first established in 1989 by President George H.W. Bush, then disbanded in 1993. Another version of the council, called the National Aeronautics and Space Council, existed between 1958 and 1973.

Shelby Lin Erdman, of the Cox Media Group National Content Desk, contributed to this story.