Representatives of US Congress and the National Space Council joined President Donald Trump, Apollo astronaut Jack Schmitt and current Nasa astronaut Peggy Whitson for the president’s signing of Space Policy Directive 1. Credit: Nasa/Aubrey Gemignani.

US President Donald Trump has signed a space policy directive asking Nasa to undertake new manned missions to explore the Moon, Mars and other destinations in the solar system.

The members of the National Space Council have unanimously endorsed the recommendations of the Space Policy Directive, which was revived in June to boost the country’s space sector.

Trump intends to enact all the recommendations, which seek to return American astronauts to the Moon for long-term exploration and utilisation.

“It is America’s destiny to be at the forefront of humanity’s eternal quest for knowledge and to be the leader amongst nations on our adventure into the great unknown.”

The US Government also aims to employ new space technology to improve the country’s space capabilities.

Trump said: “It is America’s destiny to be at the forefront of humanity’s eternal quest for knowledge and to be the leader amongst nations on our adventure into the great unknown.”

The president has also unveiled the country’s plan to provide new incentives for the private industry to improve its space capabilities.

The US will work with other countries and the private industry to return astronauts to the Moon, as well as develop technologies for human exploration missions of Mars and beyond.

As part of the new space policy directive, the country aims to promote the growing domestic space industry, which saw the last manned mission to the Moon in 1972.

Under the directive, the US further seeks to launch astronauts on a US-made rocket and crew system, including the Space Launch System and Orion crew vehicle, over the next few years.