A Renewed Spirit of Discovery:The President’s Vision for U.S. Space ExplorationPR E S I D E N T G E O R G E W. B U S HJ A N U A RY 1 4, 2 0 0 4BackgroundFrom the Apollo landings on the Moon, to robotic surveys of the Sun and the planets, to the compellingimages captured by advanced space telescopes, U.S. achievements in space have revolutionized humanity’sview of the universe and have inspired Americans and people around the world. These achievements alsohave led to the development of technologies that have widespread applications to address problems on Earth.As the world enters the second century of powered flight, it is time to articulate a new vision that will define and guide U.S. space exploration activities for the next several decades.Today, humanity has the potential to seek answers to the most fundamental questions posed about the existence of life beyond Earth. Telescopes have found planets around other stars. Robotic probes have identified potential resources on the Moon, and evidence of water -- a key ingredient for life -- has been found on Mars and the moons of Jupiter.Direct human experience in space has fundamentally altered our perspective of humanity and our place inthe universe. Humans have the ability to respond to the unexpected developments inherent in space traveland possess unique skills that enhance discoveries. Just as Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo challenged a generation of Americans, a renewed U.S. space exploration program with a significant human component can inspire us -- and our youth -- to greater achievements on Earth and in space.The loss of Space Shuttles Challenger and Columbia and their crews are a stark reminder of the inherentrisks of space flight and the severity of the challenges posed by space exploration. In preparation for futurehuman exploration, we must advance our ability to live and work safely in space and, at the same time,develop the technologies to extend humanity’s reach to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. The new technologiesrequired for further space exploration also will improve the Nation’s other space activities and may provideapplications that could be used to address problems on Earth.Like the explorers of the past and the pioneers of flight in the last century, we cannot today identify all thatwe will gain from space exploration; we are confident, nonetheless, that the eventual return will be great.Like their efforts, the success of future U.S. space exploration will unfold over generations.Goal and ObjectivesThe fundamental goal of this vision is to advance U.S. scientific, security, and economic interests through arobust space exploration program. In support of this goal, the United States will:• Implement a sustained and affordable human and robotic program to explore the solar system and beyond;• Extend human presence across the solar system, starting with a human return to the Moon by the year2020, in preparation for human exploration of Mars and other destinations;• Develop the innovative technologies, knowledge, and infrastructures both to explore and to supportdecisions about the destinations for human exploration; and• Promote international and commercial participation in exploration to further U.S. scientific, security,and economic interests.Bringing the Vision to RealityThe Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration will be responsible for the plans,programs, and activities required to implement this vision, in coordination with other agencies, as deemedappropriate. The Administrator will plan and implement an integrated, long-term robotic and human exploration program structured with measurable milestones and executed on the basis of available resources, accumulated experience, and technology readiness.To implement this vision, the Administrator will conduct the following activities and take other actions asrequired:A. Exploration Activities in Low Earth OrbitSpace Shuttle• Return the Space Shuttle to flight as soon as practical, based on the recommendations of the ColumbiaAccident Investigation Board;• Focus use of the Space Shuttle to complete assembly of the International Space Station; and• Retire the Space Shuttle as soon as assembly of the International Space Station is completed, plannedfor the end of this decade;International Space Station• Complete assembly of the International Space Station, including the U.S. components that supportU.S. space exploration goals and those provided by foreign partners, planned for the end of thisdecade;• Focus U.S. research and use of the International Space Station on supporting space exploration goals,with emphasis on understanding how the space environment affects astronaut health and capabilitiesand developing countermeasures; and• Conduct International Space Station activities in a manner consistent with U.S. obligations containedin the agreements between the United States and other partners in the International Space Station.B. Space Exploration Beyond Low Earth OrbitThe Moon• Undertake lunar exploration activities to enable sustained human and robotic exploration of Mars andmore distant destinations in the solar system;• Starting no later than 2008, initiate a series of robotic missions to the Moon to prepare for and supportfuture human exploration activities;• Conduct the first extended human expedition to the lunar surface as early as 2015, but no later thanthe year 2020; and• Use lunar exploration activities to further science, and to develop and test new approaches,technologies, and systems, including use of lunar and other space resources, to support sustained human space exploration to Mars and other destinations.Mars and Other Destinations• Conduct robotic exploration of Mars to search for evidence of life, to understand the history of thesolar system, and to prepare for future human exploration;• Conduct robotic exploration across the solar system for scientific purposes and to support humanexploration. In particular, explore Jupiter’s moons, asteroids and other bodies to search for evidenceof life, to understand the history of the solar system, and to search for resources;• Conduct advanced telescope searches for Earth-like planets and habitable environments around otherstars;• Develop and demonstrate power generation, propulsion, life support, and other key capabilitiesrequired to support more distant, more capable, and/or longer duration human and robotic explorationof Mars and