Expert Commentary

Abstract

Human exploration and development of space is aimed at opening the space frontier by exploring, using, and enabling the development of space and expanding the human experience into the far reaches of space. This includes increasing human knowledge of nature’s processes using the space environment, exploring and settling the solar system, achieving routine space travel, and enriching life on Earth through people living and working in space. NASA’s Mars robotic explorations and the International Space Station provide extensive experience, research and technology (R&T), and infrastructure for other envisioned programs in support of human exploration and development of space. The missions to Moon by United States, Russia, China, India, and Japan have provided valuable data for the Moon. In addition, NASA has studied the development of a lunar habitat and human mission to Mars as possible future missions. These missions face common challenges of travel to these planets and for the survival of humans on the surface of the planets. With the human Mars mission being the first to such a distant planet, advanced technologies will be required to enable the mission and to provide cost effective and safer approaches. The R&T areas considered important for future human mission include advanced human support, renewable resources and utilization of planetary resources, space transportation, automation and robotics, space power, information processing and communications systems, sensors, and instruments.