| In the year 2004, American President, George | | | | technology in computers, electronics, life |
| W. Bush, outlined goals for NASA after the | | | | support, propulsion, and heat protection |
| completion of the International Space Station | | | | systems. |
| in 2010. Bush stated that " our... goal is to | | | | |
| develop and test a new spacecraft, the Crew | | | | The U.S. Space Agency plans to create a solar |
| Exploration Vehicle, by 2008, and to conduct | | | | powered, manned outpost on the Moon. The |
| the first manned mission no later than 2014. | | | | final decision concerning the location of |
| The Crew Exploration Vehicle will be capable | | | | that outpost will be made after NASA's |
| of ferrying astronauts and scientists to the | | | | robotic Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) |
| Space Station after the shuttle is retired. | | | | begins to survey the Moon in 2008. In fact, |
| But the main purpose of this spacecraft will | | | | the scheduled launch event in October of 2008 |
| be to carry astronauts beyond our orbit to | | | | of this robotic probe (with its laser |
| other worlds. This will be the first | | | | altimeter and other instruments) is a mission |
| spacecraft of its kind since the Apollo | | | | designed to produce an accurate global map of |
| Command Module". | | | | the Moon for all upcoming expeditions there. |
| | | | |
| Bush continued: "Our next goal is to return | | | | However, it may be that NASA scientists |
| to the Moon by 2020, as the launching point | | | | already have a potential spot for a manned |
| for missions beyond. Beginning no later than | | | | outpost in mind. An area that is already |
| 2008, we will send a series of robotic | | | | receiving attention by NASA's lunar |
| missions to the lunar surface to research and | | | | architecture team is at the South Pole in a |
| prepare for future human exploration. Using | | | | spot on the rim of Shackleton Crater. The |
| the Crew Exploration Vehicle, we will | | | | area is almost always sunlit, but it is also |
| undertake extended human missions to the Moon | | | | adjacent to a permanently dark location. |
| as early as 2015, with the goal of living and | | | | Wherever it is located, the outpost on the |
| working there for increasingly extended | | | | Moon would be built in incremental steps, |
| periods". | | | | starting with four person crews making |
| | | | several seven day visits. |
| The planning by NASA for the lunar mission | | | | |
| outlined in that 2004 speech by President | | | | It is projected that the first mission to |
| Bush is well underway. In fact, the plan | | | | develop the lunar outpost would begin by |
| encourages participation by other nations of | | | | 2020. The base would grow over time into a |
| the world. In addition, NASA also envisions | | | | lunar town, beefed up with more power, |
| participation by non-governmental | | | | mobility rovers, and living quarters. The |
| organizations and commercial groups. NASA is | | | | Moon base would eventually support 180 day |
| interested in international participation in | | | | lunar stays. This stretch of time is seen as |
| the project similar to the International | | | | the best way to establish a permanent |
| Space Station mission. | | | | presence there. By going to the Moon for |
| | | | extended periods of time, astronauts will |
| The name of the program to return astronauts | | | | search for resources and learn how to work |
| to the Moon is "Constellation". Constellation | | | | safely in a harsh environment to prepare for |
| is developing new spacecraft and is expected | | | | a future human exploration of Mars. |
| to be fully operational by 2016. The | | | | |
| Constellation program requires the | | | | Thirty-five years ago this week, Astronauts |
| development of launchers called Ares rockets. | | | | Gene Cernan, Ron Evans, and Jack Schmitt were |
| These Ares launchers are named for the Greek | | | | early explorers on the surface of the Moon. |
| god associated with Mars. These launchers | | | | Today, NASA is planning not only for a visit, |
| will return humans to the Moon and later take | | | | but also for a permanent base on the surface |
| them to Mars and other destinations. | | | | of the Moon by astronauts in the year 2020. |
| | | | |
| NASA's Orion spacecraft (now in development) | | | | The long term goal of future space |
| is America's first new manned spacecraft | | | | exploration for NASA was outlined by |
| since the space shuttle 30 years ago. Orion | | | | President George Bush in his speech in 2004. |
| will be capable of carrying crew and cargo to | | | | Several years later, the planning, |
| the International Space Station after 2010. | | | | development and logistics of this mission are |
| Orion will be the Earth entry vehicle for | | | | on schedule. The Constellation program has |
| lunar and Mars returns. Orion's design will | | | | taken the initial steps to make a manned |
| borrow its shape from the capsules of the | | | | lunar outpost for a journey to Mars a future |
| past, but it will take advantage of modern | | | | reality. |