A new bill would require NASA to develop a strategic plan for human Mars missions more detailed than existing documents, like this "Journey to Mars" infographic.
WASHINGTON Legislation recently introduced in the House and Senate wouldrequire NASA to develop a detailed studyabout how it would achieve a long-term goal of humans on Mars.
The Mapping a New and Innovative Focus on our Exploration Strategy (MANIFEST) for Human Spaceflight Act, jointly introduced Jan. 24 by Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) and Rep. John Culberson (R-Texas), is intended to build upon a 2014 National Academies report on human space exploration pathways.
The key portion of the bill would require NASA to develop a strategic plan for a series of missionsleading up to human missions to Mars. It also amends a 2010 NASA authorization act, the most recent such bill to be enacted, by making "human exploration of Mars, including the establishment of a capability to extend human presence to the surface of Mars" a key goal of NASA's human spaceflight program. [NASA's Vision for Astronauts on Mars]
"By requiring a strategic plan from NASA, this bill will help focus existing resources towards achieving our long-term goal oflanding a human on Mars," Cornyn said in a statement.
The report envisioned by the bill would cover a wide range of issues associated with human space exploration. They include descriptions and assessments of mission architectures using Orion and Space Launch System, use of the International Space Station to achieve exploration goals, partnerships with other countries or private industry, studies of crew health and safety.
The bill doesn't directly specify what should be intermediate missions prior to going to Mars, including human missions to the surface of the moon, but would require the report to assess such destinations.
One aspect of the report, according to the bill, is an examination of the "utility of an expanded human presence in cis-lunar space toward enabling missions to various lunar orbits, the lunar surface, asteroids, Mars, the moons of Mars, and other destinations of interest." The bill would also require the report to provide a "detailed plan for prioritizing and phasing" those intermediate destinations.
Under the bill, NASA would be required to submit an interim report to the National Academies 90 days after the bill's enactment. The final version of the report, from the National Academies, is due one year after the bill becomes law. The bill stipulates that the process be repeated every five years.
"Americans are at their best when they're conquering new frontiers and this legislation ensures that NASA continues to push the boundaries of space exploration by landing an American astronaut on Mars," said Culberson in a statement.
This story was provided by SpaceNews, dedicated to covering all aspects of the space industry.
The rest is here:
Legislation Would Require Strategic Plan for NASA Human Spaceflight - Space.com
- Space | National Archives - January 5th, 2017 [January 5th, 2017]
- 50 Years of Presidential Visions for Space Exploration - January 30th, 2017 [January 30th, 2017]
- New 'Life' Trailer Brings Terrifying Thrills from Mars (Exclusive) - Space.com - February 7th, 2017 [February 7th, 2017]
- Obama gutted NASA. Here are 3 ways Trump can make space ... - Conservative Review - February 7th, 2017 [February 7th, 2017]
- Dassault Systemes sets eyes on space exploration, faster transport - Economic Times - February 7th, 2017 [February 7th, 2017]
- Cassini Captures Stunning View of Enceladus | Space Exploration ... - Sci-News.com - February 7th, 2017 [February 7th, 2017]
- Space Exploration: Astronauts' Brains Are Changed By Spaceflight, MRI-Based Study Reveals - International Business Times - February 7th, 2017 [February 7th, 2017]
- TeamIndus launches Moonshot Wheels to inspire Indian rural students about Space Exploration - International Business Times, India Edition - February 7th, 2017 [February 7th, 2017]
- Belarus invites Iran to cooperate in pharmaceutical industry, space exploration - Belarus News (BelTA) - February 8th, 2017 [February 8th, 2017]
- Cabinet briefed on India-Vietnam Framework Agreement on outer space exploration - Daily News & Analysis - February 9th, 2017 [February 9th, 2017]
- Trump's Vision of Space Exploration - The New American - February 10th, 2017 [February 10th, 2017]
- New NASA Leadership Inherits Rejuvenated Space Exploration Program - eNews Park Forest - February 10th, 2017 [February 10th, 2017]
- Outgoing NASA Team Leaves Its Successors With Robust Options for Space Exploration - Center For American Progress - February 11th, 2017 [February 11th, 2017]
- Space exploration brought to life for pupils - Norfolk Eastern Daily Press - February 11th, 2017 [February 11th, 2017]
- Mechs and greater space exploration are on the way in Starbound's ... - PCGamesN - February 12th, 2017 [February 12th, 2017]
- As US, Russia eye stagnant space budgets, India ramps up investment - Ars Technica - February 13th, 2017 [February 13th, 2017]
- Nuclear Reactors to Power Space Exploration - R & D Magazine - February 14th, 2017 [February 14th, 2017]
- NASA spends $2mn on 'advanced life support tech' for deep space travel - RT - February 15th, 2017 [February 15th, 2017]
- Space Exploration: Could A Habitable Planet Feature A Habitable Moon? - Forbes - February 16th, 2017 [February 16th, 2017]
- Turkmenistan Aims High as It Pledges Space Exploration - EurasiaNet - February 17th, 2017 [February 17th, 2017]
- Republicans Aim to Prioritize NASA Space Exploration Efforts Over Environmental Research - Independent Journal Review - February 18th, 2017 [February 18th, 2017]
- One huge step: Trump's plans to privatize 'low Earth orbit' and send NASA into deep space - Yahoo News - February 18th, 2017 [February 18th, 2017]
- How reusable rockets are paving the way for the next phase of space exploration - Mirror.co.uk - February 20th, 2017 [February 20th, 2017]
- NASA Funds 2 New Research Institutes to Help Humanity Explore Deep Space - Space.com - February 21st, 2017 [February 21st, 2017]
- Space Startups Are Booming in the Mojave Desert - Fortune - February 21st, 2017 [February 21st, 2017]
- Sen. Nelson Talks Space Exploration At Florida A&M University ... - WFSU - February 22nd, 2017 [February 22nd, 2017]
- DELINGPOLE: NASA to Stop Shilling for Big Green, Restart Exploring Space - Breitbart News - February 23rd, 2017 [February 23rd, 2017]
- Nuclear reactors to power space exploration - Los Alamos Monitor - February 23rd, 2017 [February 23rd, 2017]
- Space exploration programs must continue - The Eagle - February 23rd, 2017 [February 23rd, 2017]
- Editorial: Exploration can help us understand this planet - Loveland Reporter-Herald - February 24th, 2017 [February 24th, 2017]
- NASA selects new technologies for flight tests for future space exploration - Space Daily - February 24th, 2017 [February 24th, 2017]
- Why Does NASA Suddenly Want Humans On New Spacecraft's First Flight? - Vocativ - February 24th, 2017 [February 24th, 2017]
- NASA seeks university-level solutions for deep space human exploration challenges - Pulse Headlines - February 24th, 2017 [February 24th, 2017]
- Should Humans Leave Space Exploration To Robots? - Forbes - February 24th, 2017 [February 24th, 2017]
- Space Exploration - WGN Radio - February 25th, 2017 [February 25th, 2017]
- EDITORIAL: Jumping at space travel - Indiana Daily Student - February 27th, 2017 [February 27th, 2017]
- Why the 'ultimate wearables' lie in the future of space exploration - Wareable - February 28th, 2017 [February 28th, 2017]
- How to improve SA's space program - News24 - March 1st, 2017 [March 1st, 2017]
- Darlington power plant helps fuel NASA's space exploration - CTV News - March 1st, 2017 [March 1st, 2017]
- Donald Trump Will Call For a Return of Human Space Exploration - Inverse - March 1st, 2017 [March 1st, 2017]
- What Donald Trump Said About Space Travel During His Speech - Heavy.com - March 2nd, 2017 [March 2nd, 2017]
- Trump's call for human space exploration is hugely wasteful and pointless - Los Angeles Times - March 2nd, 2017 [March 2nd, 2017]
- What is the fascination with space exploration? - Grand Valley Lanthorn - March 2nd, 2017 [March 2nd, 2017]
- Teachers attend space exploration conference, bring back lessons out of this world - Arlington Times - March 4th, 2017 [March 4th, 2017]
- Reader applauds space exploration pioneers - Fairfaxtimes.com - March 4th, 2017 [March 4th, 2017]
- Jeff Bezos Expected to Unveil Further Plans for Private Space Exploration - Wall Street Journal (subscription) - March 6th, 2017 [March 6th, 2017]
- Your Cheat-Sheet Guide to the New Space Race - Slate Magazine - March 7th, 2017 [March 7th, 2017]
- Amazon chief to announce new space exploration plans - RT - March 7th, 2017 [March 7th, 2017]
- Amazon Chief Bezos Expected to Unveil Further Private Space Exploration Plans - Fox Business - March 7th, 2017 [March 7th, 2017]
- If India or China Beats the US to Mars, It Will Feel Like a Military Defeat - Slate Magazine - March 8th, 2017 [March 8th, 2017]
- When We Explore Space, We Go Together - Slate Magazine - March 8th, 2017 [March 8th, 2017]
- How Barack Obama ruined NASA space exploration - The Hill (blog) - March 9th, 2017 [March 9th, 2017]
- Future Tense Newsletter: Space Exploration Isn't Just About Scientific Discovery - Slate Magazine (blog) - March 9th, 2017 [March 9th, 2017]
- NASA Funds 133 Projects to Aid Deep Space Exploration - PC Magazine - March 9th, 2017 [March 9th, 2017]
- A Trinity professor will play a big role in space exploration - thejournal.ie - March 11th, 2017 [March 11th, 2017]
- Congress Passes Space Exploration Act, Targets Mars - America Now - March 11th, 2017 [March 11th, 2017]
- Russia Aims to Develop New Cooperation in Space Exploration - Sputnik International - April 8th, 2017 [April 8th, 2017]
- NASA Announces 2017 'Chroniclers,' Recognizing Those Who ... - SpaceCoastDaily.com - April 8th, 2017 [April 8th, 2017]
- The Pros And Cons Of Privatizing Space Exploration - Forbes - April 8th, 2017 [April 8th, 2017]
- Space Exploration Experts Look to Next Frontiers at Event - UMass Lowell - April 8th, 2017 [April 8th, 2017]
- CNSA boss outlines China's space exploration agenda - SpaceNews - SpaceNews - April 8th, 2017 [April 8th, 2017]
- These Are the Wildly Advanced Space Exploration Concepts Being ... - Gizmodo - April 8th, 2017 [April 8th, 2017]
- Cyprus Space Exploration Organisation - Wikipedia - April 8th, 2017 [April 8th, 2017]
- A Brief History of Space Exploration - The Aerospace Corporation - April 8th, 2017 [April 8th, 2017]
- Americans Like Spending Money on Space Exploration, Survey Finds - Inverse - June 6th, 2017 [June 6th, 2017]
- Launch of India's biggest rocket is a defining moment in space exploration - DailyO - June 6th, 2017 [June 6th, 2017]
- Space Matter: The Trouble with Spacesuits :: Science :: Features ... - Paste Magazine - June 6th, 2017 [June 6th, 2017]
- China willing to cooperate in peaceful space exploration: Xi - Space Daily - June 6th, 2017 [June 6th, 2017]
- Pence reiterates plans to reestablish the National Space Council - SpaceNews - June 7th, 2017 [June 7th, 2017]
- Space Exploration: Can Private Companies Operate in Space? - Law Street Media (blog) - June 7th, 2017 [June 7th, 2017]
- Space Exploration Game 'Outreach' Receives First Gameplay Trailer ... - Hardcore Gamer - June 7th, 2017 [June 7th, 2017]
- Will Space Exploration lead us to a Global Space Agency - Space Daily - June 7th, 2017 [June 7th, 2017]
- The Origami of Space Exploration - Scientific American (blog) - June 7th, 2017 [June 7th, 2017]
- Ocean vs Space: Exploration and the Quest to Inspire the Public - Marine Technology News - June 8th, 2017 [June 8th, 2017]
- A 3D-printed rocket engine just launched a new era of space exploration - The Independent - June 8th, 2017 [June 8th, 2017]
- Belarus' drive for peaceful space exploration underlined - Belarus News (BelTA) - June 8th, 2017 [June 8th, 2017]
- Here's why you should pay close attention to India's space program - Mashable - June 9th, 2017 [June 9th, 2017]
- China to provide more opportunities to private companies for space exploration - Space Daily - June 9th, 2017 [June 9th, 2017]
- Space exploration: The solutions to land scarcity - Real Estate Weekly - June 10th, 2017 [June 10th, 2017]
- What China's space ambitions have to do with politics - Space Daily - June 13th, 2017 [June 13th, 2017]