Summary
We are on a journey to Mars. In the next few decades, NASA will take steps
toward establishing a sustainable human presence beyond Earth, not just to
visit but to stay. NASA’s near-term activities focus on increasing our capacity
to operate, work, and live in space while characterizing future destinations
with the help of robotic science missions. Pioneering space begins with
the ISS to ensure we have the reliable, long-duration systems necessary
for human missions to Mars. In the Proving Ground, we will validate
key capabilities through EM-1 and EM-2 along with ARM, SEP, cislunar
habitation, and long-duration testing and operations. These and subsequent
missions will target challenges and strategic knowledge gaps while helping
develop the core capabilities necessary to expand human activity farther into
deep space.
Pioneering space will require a flexible, integrated, and sustained effort to
develop the capabilities and tools necessary to support humans throughout
our solar system. Future missions will face increasingly difficult challenges
associated with transportation, working in space, and staying healthy. Many of
these challenges are solved or are currently being addressed on the ISS. For
the rest, NASA and our partners will leverage the Proving Ground with
science missions and capability demonstrations to close the remaining gaps
and ensure we have the ability to get to Mars, land safely, live and work
productively, and return.
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