NASA goals in space research

NASA's stated overall goal for the future is to improve life on Earth, while extending human life to outer space and searching for other life in the universe. NASA believes that this goal will be achieved through three broad missions:

• Understanding and protecting Earth


• Exploring the universe and searching for life


• Inspiring young people to appreciate the importance of space exploration

NASA pursues its goals through agency divisions called enterprises. The role and goals of each enterprise are explained in the agency's 2003 Strategic Plan, which was published in early 2003. According to the plan there are six NASA enterprises:

• Aerospace Technology—Developing new technologies, materials, and systems for space flight and sharing relevant information with the commercial, academic, and military sectors


• Biological and Physical Research—Researching the challenges associated with human exploration of space


• Earth Science—Applying space research to improving methods for predicting climate, weather, and natural hazards on Earth


• Education—Encouraging young people to pursue studies in science, mathematics, technology, and engineering and to pursue careers in aeronautics and space-related fields


• Human Exploration and Development of Space—Operating and supporting the space shuttle program and the International Space Station.



• Space Science—Researching the origins of life and the universe, the existence of life on other planets, the formation of stars and galaxies, the evolution of the solar system and universe, the mechanisms of life, and the relationship between matter and energy

In February 2004 NASA's goals for the twenty-first century were redefined in A Renewed Spirit of Discovery: The President's Vision for U.S. Space Exploration. In this document President George W. Bush spelled out his goals for the nation's space program over the next few decades:

• Implementing an affordable space exploration program that includes robotic spacecraft and human explorers


• Putting astronauts on the Moon by the year 2020


• Developing new technologies and equipment needed to acquire data about potential destinations for human astronauts


• Promoting international and commercial participation in the exploration program

The president called for the space shuttle fleet to be retired by 2010. NASA's participation in the ISS would end in 2016 with the completion of specific research objectives at the station.

NASA's plan for achieving the president's mandate includes such ongoing missions as Mars Rover, which will be used as stepping stones to future exploration missions.

Human travel to the Moon and Mars will require development of new launch and crew vehicles. NASA no longer has any of the Saturn V rockets that lifted Apollo spacecraft into space. A new heavy-lift vehicle must be developed. A new crew exploration vehicle (CEV) is also needed. A space shuttle cannot serve this purpose, because it was designed only for low Earth orbit. NASA plans to use robotic spacecraft to test new technologies and gather data about the Moon and Mars before sending humans to explore them.

To accomplish these tasks NASA plans to reorganize itself. A new enterprise and office called Exploration Systems will be formed within the agency. This office will be responsible for research, testing, and development of new exploration vehicles and systems.