NASA’s strategy for pioneering space provides guidance for selecting
and designing missions in the Proving Ground and enables future
accomplishments on the journey to Mars. The strategy helps NASA logically
progress from current Earth Reliant operations on the ISS, through the
Proving Ground in cislunar space, to Earth Independent pioneering with
the goal of humans living and working on Mars. This strategy provides the
flexibility to respond to new discoveries, opportunities, and shifts in national
priorities. NASA approaches pioneering space as a collaborative effort,
within the United States and with our international partners, incorporating
key capabilities from industry and academia, while engaging the public and
stakeholder communities. The core capabilities NASA is working on with our
partners—SEP, Mars-ready ECLSS, ISRU, and many more—will enable the
journey to Mars.
NASA’s human exploration, science, and technology endeavors are
intertwined. As our exploration activities reach farther into the solar system,
we will also broaden our reach here on Earth, enabling more participation,
partners, activity, and economic and technological benefits. NASA’s current
investments in exploration capabilities and the decisions being made today
are crucial to achieving our common goal: extending human presence into
the solar system and to the surface of Mars.
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