Neil deGrasse Tyson explains how Artemis missions would lay the groundwork for Mars exploration

Neil deGrasse Tyson argued that major space missions should be planned and built on previous achievements rather than skipping steps. Drawing on the Apollo era, he noted that each mission expanded on lessons learned from earlier flights, allowing engineers and astronauts to identify problems and improve safety before attempting more ambitious goals.

Sharing his perspective, Tyson stated, “If we remember the Apollo era, every mission was an increment on the previous mission for safety reasons, for familiarizing ourselves with something we've never done before, you don't want to just jump out there and miss intermediate steps where you could have learned something or where smaller errors can be corrected and not be catastrophic.”

This image was captured during the Apollo 17 mission. In the picture, scientist-astronaut Harrison H. Schmitt can be seen standing right next to a huge, split lunar boulder during the third Apollo 17 extravehicular activity (EVA) at the Taurus-Littrow landing site. Eugene A. Cernan took the photograph.

Tyson believes that jumping directly to a distant destination might increase the chances of failure. Instead, smaller, incremental planned missions provide opportunities to correct mistakes. Furthermore, they help provide more experience in environments humans have never explored before, preventing minor errors from turning into catastrophic ones.

This image shows Neil deGrasse Tyson at the 2025 Literacy Partners Evening of Readings & Gala Dinner on June 9, 2025, in New York City.

Tyson pointed out that an airless world like the Moon is not necessarily the best location from which to launch and return from other destinations. Spacecraft often need fuel to slow down and maneuver. That implies that a lunar base does not automatically offer advantages for every deep-space mission.

Before the Artemis II launch on April 1, 2026, Tyson shared this opinion and added, “It's not always the best place to call base if you're going to go places and then return. But if you're going to go to the Moon and stay, then fine.”

This image captures the moment NASA’s Space Launch System rocket lifted off from Launch Pad 39B at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, carrying the Orion spacecraft and NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen.

While questioning the Moon's value as a universal launch pad, Tyson said a permanent presence there would justify building infrastructure on the lunar surface. If the goal is long-term habitation rather than simply using the Moon as a transit point, establishing a colony becomes a logical step.

This NASA illustration depicts planned lunar surface exploration activities.

Neil deGrasse Tyson emphasized that the Artemis program is looking into making space exploration far more accessible. The closeness of our only natural satellite allows missions to be completed relatively quickly and keeps the public engaged throughout the journey, unlike longer expeditions that may easily fade from public attention.

This image of Earthset was captured through the Orion spacecraft window during the Artemis II crew’s flyby of the Moon. Taken at 6:41 p.m. EDT on April 6, 2026, the Earth appears in a muted blue shade, with swirling clouds visible over the Australia and Oceania regions on Earth's day side.