US Space Exploration Policy

Announced January 14, 2004, the US Space Exploration Policy (formerly known as the Vision for Space Exploration) provides a focused plan for the nation’s continued space exploration.

One Step at a Time

The US Space Exploration Policy is comprised of affordable, achievable steps:

Return the Space Shuttle to flight

Space Shuttle Discovery is scheduled to launch again July 13 on its first flight since February 1, 2003.
The Space Shuttle will enable us to continue experiments that will prepare us for longer journeys to space.

Complete assembly of the International Space Station (ISS)

We will be able to conduct critical human biology research at the ISS that will support long-term missions beyond low Earth orbit.

Build a Crew Exploration Vehicle

This new space vehicle will carry humans to low Earth orbit and beyond.

Go back to the Moon

Robots and humans will explore Earth’s satellite. We have many more discoveries to make.
The Moon is rich both in information about the history of our solar system and in potential natural resources.
It is an ideal place for us to learn how to live on and explore other worlds for extended periods of time, while remaining safely within three days of Earth.
Just as living at the International Space Station has provided foundations for preparing humans for the long duration flights necessary for future exploration, living on the Moon will give us even greater insight into how to face the challenges of interplanetary exploration successfully.

On to Mars

With rovers Spirit and Opportunity, we have only begun to learn about our nearest planetary neighbor. The rovers and future robots will teach us much about the Red Planet. But their abilities are limited.
Humans will be able to conduct many more experiments on Mars.

and Beyond

Humanity will continue to explore and discover the solar system, using both robotic and human missions. Who knows what we will discover in the process!