Strategic Goal 1: Human Activities

Extend and sustain human activities across the solar system.

Other Information:

Humanity's interest in the heavens has been universal and enduring. Humans are driven to explore the unknown, discover new worlds, push the boundaries of our scientific and technical limits, and then push further. NASA is tasked with developing the capabilities that will support our country's long-term human space flight and exploration efforts. We have learned much in the last 50 years, having embarked on a steady progression of activities and milestones with both domestic and international partners to prepare us for more difficult challenges to come. Our operations have increased in complexity, and crewed space journeys have increased in duration. The focus of these efforts is toward expanding permanent human presence beyond low Earth orbit. We will pursue this goal through strategic investments and partnerships to drive advances in science and technology and deliver benefits to all humankind. To be successful, we will need equal and full participation from international partners and the commercial sector. We seek their partnership and mission-enabling contributions, as well as support capabilities and technologies. Additionally, we must develop a new space launch system and multi-purpose crew vehicle to support exploration activities. We will continue to invest in research and development activities here on Earth, and we will make extensive use of our laboratory aboard ISS. With our international partners, we have sustained human presence in low Earth orbit for over a decade, transcending individual nationalism to live, work, and make discoveries in space that benefit us all. Mission by mission, these men and women are developing capabilities that will allow us to expand human space exploration across the solar system. In parallel, we will use the scientific data gathered by our robotic satellites and scouts to assess conditions in remote atmospheres and seek resources, like water- or oxygen-rich soil, that may be used by human explorers as we continue our human forays into the solar system. To realize a robust space exploration program, we must use the intellectual and innovative wealth of the entire Nation, not just the scientists, engineers, technologists, and managers of NASA. We will enlist the research capacity of our colleges, universities, and aerospace partners to engage future generations of students. We also will encourage public contributions of innovation, and we will work with partners in the aerospace and other sectors to accelerate, develop, and implement capabilities and services that support all aspects of our missions.

Objective(s):

Outcome 1.1: International Space Station

Objective 1.1.1: Resources

Objective 1.1.2: Capabilities

Outcome 1.2: Commercial Opportunities

Objective 1.2.1: Cargo & Crew Services

Outcome 1.3: Architecture & Capabilities

Objective 1.3.1: Human Space Exploration

Objective 1.3.2: Space Human Health

Objective 1.3.3: Hazards, Opportunities & Destinations

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