2006-12-06 | MISSIONS
NASA Unveils Global Exploration Strategy and Lunar Architecture

NASA on Monday 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 (PDF available here) 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. The strategy is evolving from a lengthy dialogue that includes experts from NASA and 13 other space agencies, as well as non-governmental organizations and commercial interests.

Scientific study of the Moon can yield clues about the Earth-Moon system and can tell us a great deal about the history and formation of our planet. Human missions to the Moon will help us understand how organisms respond to long-duration exposure to the space environment and will help us to develop technologies for exploring further locations like Mars.

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