B3.1 NASA’s Moon to Mars Exploration Plans

Building on 60 years of exploration experience, NASA will push the boundaries of human exploration forward to the Moon and on to Mars. NASA is working to establish a permanent human presence on the Moon within the next decade to uncover new scientific discoveries and lay the foundation for private companies to build a lunar economy. This paper will examine how NASA will 1) get to the Moon using the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft, 2) build the Gateway in orbit around the Moon and demonstrate its capabilities in space 3) begin to develop increasingly larger, and reusable landers for humans 4) use the Moon’s unique science platform to advance our understanding of our home planet and our solar system, and 5) advance technologies that will prepare humanity for future exploration to Mars. With the work underway, the agency will move deeper into the solar system with its partners to achieve the ambitious exploration goals.

Kenneth BOWERSOX

Astronaut, Deputy Associate Administrator, Space Operations Mission Directorate (SOMD), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

United States

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