Universe Today
"[L]ead an innovative and sustainable program of exploration with commercial and international partners to enable human expansion across the solar system and to bring back to Earth new knowledge and opportunities. Beginning with missions beyond low-Earth orbit, the United States will lead the return of humans to the Moon for long-term exploration and utilization, followed by human missions to Mars and other destinations.”
Transition U.S. human spaceflight activities in low-Earth orbit to commercial operations that support NASA and the needs of an emerging private sector market.
Lead the emplacement of capabilities that support lunar surface operations and facilitate missions beyond cislunar space.
Foster scientific discovery and characterization of lunar resources through a series of robotic missions.
Return U.S. astronauts to the surface of the Moon for a sustained campaign of exploration and use.
Demonstrate the capabilities required for human missions to Mars and other destinations.
Low-Earth Orbit (LEO):
Back to the Moon:
"Bombarded by solar and cosmic radiation for billions of years and left largely undisturbed, the Moon is a historic archive of our Sun and solar system. Scientific discoveries are locked in its regolith that could lead to improved understanding of our own planet and its evolution. It also harbors resources, such as water, that are among the rarest and most precious commodities in space, offering potential sustenance and fuel for future explorers."
Journey to Mars:
"We are fortunate that many of the critical technologies pioneered by the Apollo missions – microelectronics, power storage, propulsion technology, advanced materials, and others – have become major industrial sectors backed by decades of innovation and improvement. From this advantageous starting position, we intend to rapidly integrate advanced capabilities with our own new technology and take one giant leap toward the sustainable and long-term human and robotic space exploration of the solar system."
