Examine the Human Exploration and Development of Space description there to get a flavor of the scope of the HEDS activity and a roadmap for the next decade in human exploration and development of space. Several trends in space exploration are becoming evident and must be considered in designing programs and projects for space exploration. First, the growing capabilities of electronic and computer systems are greatly reducing the size and increasing the capabilities of automated spacecraft, enhancing our abilities to send precursor exploratory devices throughout the inner solar system. Second, the cost of space transportation is expected to become lower in the next few years, increasing the opportunities to send facilities and humans out beyond low Earth orbit. Third, the International Space Station is now being constructed, which will provide a test bed for many technologies and for the human component of space exploration beyond low Earth orbit.
Many intriguing possibilities exist in the next few years.
Beginning in 2001, these Mars missions will also carry experiments designed to resolve scientific and technology issues associated with human exploration. In 2001, the missions will conduct experiments on the Martian radiation environment and the properties of surface dust, as well as an experiment to learn whether oxygen can be produced from the Martian atmosphere. In 1998-1999 the Lunar Prospector spacecraft, developed for the Office of Space Science's Discovery Program discovered enhancements of hydrogen at both poles of the Moon. This has been interpreted by the Prospector's science team as being due to the presence of ice at the poles of the Moon. If this proves to be true, it may lead to a resumption of human lunar exploration, because of the resource potential of the Moon.