Sep 22, 2019 - Science

Australia to invest $100 million in Trump's bid to return to the Moon

Ursula Perano

Morrison and Trump together. — Prime Minister Morisson and President Trump. Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images

Australia is set to invest $101 million into President Trump's efforts to achieve another Moon landing by 2024 and send future U.S. missions to Mars, Reuters reports.

Driving the news: Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced the investment while visiting NASA's headquarters in Washington, D.C., over the weekend. Morrison outlined the 5-year investment plan as part of a broader effort to triple the size of Australia's space sector and create 20,000 new jobs by 2030, per Reuters.

Between the lines: "The announcement came after Morrison made a state visit to the White House on Friday, with the red carpet rolled out, signaling Australia’s strong ties with the United States after a period of tense relations with China," Reuters' Lidia Kelly notes.

Go deeper: NASA's long trip back to the Moon

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Australia to invest $100 million in Trump's bid to return to the Moon

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