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In a Gallup poll, 68% of those surveyed support the new plan to return to the moon, then travel to Mars and beyond.
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+ More NASA Facts...
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| |  Why Explore Space?
"Today," writes NASA Administrator Mike Griffin, "NASA is moving forward with a new focus for the manned space program: to go out beyond Earth orbit for purposes of human exploration and scientific discovery." Administrator Griffin makes the case for completing the International Space Station, "the most complex construction feat ever undertaken," as a stepping stone to future exploration.
"Using the space station and building an outpost on the moon to prepare for the trip to Mars are critical milestones in America's quest to become a truly spacefaring nation," Griffin writes. "I think that we should want that. I want that. I want it for the American people, for my grandchildren, for my great-grandchildren."
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The How and Why of Returning to the Moon
NASA has unveiled the initial elements of the Global Exploration Strategy and a proposed U.S. lunar architecture, two critical tools for achieving the nation's vision of returning humans to the moon.
The Global Exploration Strategy focuses on two overarching issues: Why we are returning to the moon and what we plan to do when we get there. The strategy includes a comprehensive set of the reasons for embarking upon human and robotic exploration of the moon. NASA's proposed lunar architecture focuses on a third issue: How humans might accomplish the mission of exploring the moon.
+ Why The Moon? | + View Videos
+ NASA Unveils Global Exploration Strategy, Lunar Architecture
+ Global Exploration Strategy Frequently Asked Questions
+ Dec. 4, 2006, Briefing Transcripts (76 Kb PDF)
+ Dec. 4, 2006, Briefing Charts (3.5 MB PDF)
NASA's Constellation Program is already hard at work on the next generation of human spacecraft -- The Ares I and Ares V launch vehicles and Orion crew capsule.
+ Read More About the Constellation Program
The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter launches in 2008 to scout the lunar surface and search for resources. The Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite will launch with LRO, then crash into the lunar surface to search for water ice.
+ Read More About Robotic Exploration
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| Camping on the Moon
If you climbed a mountain so high its peak poked through Earth's atmosphere, you'd know what it will be like to camp on the moon.
+ Read More
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| 'Why Explore Space?'
By Administrator Griffin
Today, NASA is moving forward with a new focus for the manned space program: to go out beyond Earth orbit for purposes of human exploration and scientific discovery.
+ Read More
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| Why The Moon?
Why should we return to the moon? The global space community responded with six common areas of interest.
+ Read More
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| 2nd Space Exploration Conference
Top leaders from industry, academia, NASA and other agencies meet to focus on implementing the Vision for Space Exploration.
+ Read More
+ Visit AIAA Conference Web Site
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| Droids in the Desert
Arizona tourists may think they’ve stumbled upon a science fiction movie set if they find themselves near the state’s famed Meteor Crater in early September.
+ Read More
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| NASA Invests in Private Sector Space Flight
Two partners chosen to develop reliable, cost-effective access to Earth orbit.
+ Read More
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| Wide Awake on the Sea of Tranquillity
Why Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin couldn't fall asleep in the Sea of Tranquillity.
+ Read More
+ Listen to Story
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| Moonquakes
NASA astronauts are going back to the moon and when they get there they may need quake-proof housing.
+ Read More
+ Listen to Story
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