National Aeronautics and Space Administration the Vision for Space Exploration February 2004: by National Aeronautics and Space Administration

By National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Excerpt
Excerpt: Understanding from the unknown. Comprehension from the cosmos. Insight from the infinite. The relationship between discovery and exploration has driven human curiosity for all of recorded history. Since the time of the ancient philosophers, we have striven to comprehend our place in the universe and have looked to the heavens for answers to the questions: Where do we come from? Are we alone? Where are we going?

Table of Contents
Table of Contents NASA Guiding Principles for Exploration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Solar System and Beyond?Exploration Roadmap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Lunar Testbeds and Missions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Mars Research, Testbeds, and Missions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 Outer Moons Research and Missions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 Extrasolar Planet Research and Observatories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 Exploration Building Blocks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 NASA Transformation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19 National Benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 Table of Contents