The U.S. National Aeronautics and space administration (NASA) has developed and introduced a new plan for the conquest of outer space in the coming decades. In addition to some key missions related to the work in earth orbit, the Agency plans to implement the first more than 40 years of manned space missions beyond near-earth space – first to return humans to the moon, and then send it to Mars.
The new plan, the Agency developed in accordance with the requirements put forward by the incumbent administration of President of the United States Donald trump is to return the country’s leadership in space exploration. According to the Agency’s 21-page document, NASA aims for five key objectives, which will allow not only to return the country to lead in space, but also to prepare basis for implementation of more ambitious goals for deep space exploration. Among them: the active support of the private space sector and greater international cooperation, preparation for further development of near-earth and cislunar space, support scientific discovery and characterization of lunar resources in the course of a series of robotic missions to the natural satellite of our planet, the return of American astronauts on the moon with the prospect of a permanent presence on it as well as the development and implementation of manned missions to Mars and other destinations.
NASA plan to send humans to the moon and Mars for 20 years, but the first landing is planned to be implemented in 10 years. The experts in the published document took into account all force-majeure situations and the possible change of date if you encounter problems at a particular stage of the overall strategy.
Work in earth orbit
During operations in low earth orbit NASA is going to move away from the current model of space exploration, which involved the active participation of the US government (which is essentially the main customer space launches) and to turn to private commercial enterprises. In short, NASA is going to move from direct government management and funding and to turn to commercial partnerships and services, and greater international cooperation. A similar approach, the Agency intends to apply towards the International space station after 2025. Recall that the station will continue at least until 2024. All this time, NASA plans to use the station as a platform for testing new technologies in robotics, communications, medicine, agriculture and other spheres, which will be required to implement further parts of the program for deep space exploration.
At the same time, the ISS will have to play some of the Agency’s key role in the transition of NASA to a more commercial orientation of the services provided in earth orbit. In particular, we are talking about starting from the station of new private compact satellites (cube-Sats), use it as a research platform in non-governmental missions, as well as possibly to the partial restructuring of the us segment of the space tourism hotel.
Back to the moon
Important role in the implementation of this part of the plan will be placed on a new carrier rocket Space Launch System (SLS) and the spacecraft Orion multi-purpose use. The first test launch of the spacecraft Orion (Exploration Mission-1) in an unmanned mode is planned for 2020. During this mission the unit is scheduled to send around the moon and return back to Earth.
Next scheduled Exploration Mission-2, is scheduled for 2023. The Agency sent around the moon a crew of astronauts. The first landing on the lunar surface with the successful execution of the mission Exploration Mission-2 will be implemented not earlier than the end of 2020-ies.
Artistic representation of a living module lunar orbital station Gateway
Another important step in the development of the moon will be is the construction of a lunar orbital station Gateway that will allow US to consolidate its permanent presence in near-moon space. The station plans to use as a scientific laboratory for exploration of the moon and of the effects of microgravity and radiation on living organisms. The results of this work will form the basis of preparation for further deep space exploration, particularly Mars. The station in turn in the future become a transit point for flights to Mars and other bodies in the Solar system. The first element of the station is planned to lay in 2022.
A journey to Mars
The first manned mission to Mars will not happen until 2030-ies. The main work on the preparation for the flight to Mars is scheduled to begin after the results of the Mars 2020 mission during which the Red planet will send a new Rover. The new device will not only work on finding life on our planetary neighbor, but also explores the possibility of using local resources to future colonists in the construction of permanent habitats. An important aspect of the preparation of manned flights to Mars will be the development of robotic missions to the Red planet, which will allow to expand the scientific and technical knowledge that will be obtained during the missions to explore the moon.
The artistic representation of the orbital Martian station of the Mars Base Camp
According to the NASA document, an important part of the plan for the development of Mars will be the creation of orbital infrastructures, which will be a new mission to orbit the planet, and to be landing on the surface of Mars. The Agency has charged Lockheed Martin to develop a concept document orbital Martian station of the Mars Base Camp, which in the future will be used similar to the lunar Gateway station. Aboard the station are planned to place your own landing the Rover using will run the mission on the red planet.
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NASA has announced its plans to explore the moon and Mars
Nikolai Khizhnyak