Enlarge / A SpaceX Dragon resupply ship with its dual outstreched solar arrays is pictured attached to the Harmony module as the International Space Station orbited above Brazil this month. (credit: NASA)

According to a copy of the document seen by Ars, the White House budget builds upon statements by Vice President Mike Pence, and President Trump to refocus NASA’s human exploration efforts on sending astronauts to the lunar surface. NASA’s objectives will include, “Pursuing a cislunar campaign that will establish U.S. preeminence to, around, and on the Moon.” As part of this goal, the agency will be directed to use public-private partnerships to provide transportation and landing services to the Moon.

The big question is how to pay for all of this, and the Trump administration’s answer here is ending “direct” NASA support for the International Space Station in 2025, according to the document. At that time, NASA should transition to “commercial provision of low-Earth orbit capabilities.” Presently NASA spends about $4 billion annually to staff and support the international laboratory.