A RENEWED

SPIRIT OF DISCOVERY

The President’s Vision for 

U.S. Space Exploration

PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH

JANUARY 2004
Table of Contents 

 

I. Background 

II. Goal and Objectives 

III. Bringing the Vision to Reality 

A. Exploration Activities in Low Earth Orbit 

a. Space Shuttle 

b. International Space Station 

B. Space Exploration Beyond Low Earth Orbit 

a. The Moon 

b. Mars and Other Destinations 

C. Space Transportation Capabilities Supporting 

Exploration 

 

D. International and Commercial Participation 
Background 

From the Apollo landings on the Moon, to robotic surveys of the Sun and the 

planets, to the compelling images captured by advanced space telescopes, U.S. 

achievements in space have revolutionized humanity’s view of the universe and 

have inspired Americans and people around the world. These achievements 

also have 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 in the universe. Humans have the ability to respond to 

the unexpected developments inherent in space travel and 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 inherent risks of space flight and the severity of the challenges 

posed by space exploration. In preparation for future human 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 technologies required for further space exploration also will 

improve the Nation’s other space activities and may provide applications 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 that we 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 Objectives 

The fundamental goal of this vision is to advance U.S. scientific, security, and 

economic interests through a robust 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 before the year 2020, in preparation for human 

exploration of Mars and other destinations; 

• Develop the innovative technologies, knowledge, and infrastructures both to 

explore and to support decisions 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 Reality 

The 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 deemed appropriate. 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 as required: 

A. Exploration Activities in Low Earth Orbit 

 Space Shuttle

• Return the Space Shuttle to flight as soon as practical, based on the 

recommendations of the Columbia Accident 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, planned for the end of this decade; 

 International Space Station 

• Complete assembly of the International Space Station, including the 

U.S. components that support U.S. space exploration goals and those 

provided by foreign partners, planned for the end of this decade; 
• 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 capabilities 

and developing countermeasures; and 

• Conduct International Space Station activities in a manner consistent 

with U.S. obligations contained in the agreements between the United 

States and other partners in the International Space Station. 

B. Space Exploration Beyond Low Earth Orbit 

 The Moon 

• Undertake lunar exploration activities to enable sustained human and 

robotic exploration of Mars and more distant destinations in the solar 

system; 

• Starting no later than 2008, initiate a series of robotic missions to the 

Moon to prepare for and support future human exploration activities; 

• Conduct the first extended human expedition to the lunar surface as 

early as 2015, but no later than the 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 the solar system, and to prepare for future 

human exploration; 

• Conduct robotic exploration across the solar system for scientific 

purposes and to support human exploration. In particular, explore 

Jupiter’s moons, asteroids and other bodies to search for evidence of 

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 other stars; 

• Develop and demonstrate power generation, propulsion, life support, 

and other key capabilities required to support more distant, more 

capable, and/or longer duration human and robotic exploration of 

Mars and other destinations; and 

• Conduct human expeditions to Mars after acquiring adequate 

knowledge about the planet using robotic missions and after 

successfully demonstrating sustained human exploration missions to 

the Moon. 

C. Space Transportation Capabilities Supporting 

 Exploration 

 

• Develop a new crew exploration vehicle to provide crew transportation 

for missions beyond low Earth orbit; 
3⁄4 Conduct the initial test flight before the end of this decade in 

order to provide an operational capability to support human 

exploration missions no later than 2014; 

• Separate to the maximum practical extent crew from cargo 

transportation to the International Space Station and for launching 

exploration missions beyond low Earth orbit; 

3⁄4 Acquire cargo transportation as soon as practical and affordable 

to support missions to and from the International Space Station; 

and 

3⁄4 Acquire crew transportation to and from the International Space 

Station, as required, after the Space Shuttle is retired from 

service. 

 

D. International and Commercial Participation

• Pursue opportunities for international participation to support U.S. 

space exploration goals; and 

• Pursue commercial opportunities for providing transportation and 

other services supporting the International Space Station and 

exploration missions beyond low Earth orbit.