1、Congressional Research Service The Library of CongressCRS Report for CongressReceived through the CRS WebOrder Code RS21720Updated January 4, 2006Space Exploration: Issues Concerning the“Vision for Space Exploration”name redactedResources, Science, and Industry DivisionSummaryOn January 14, 2004, Pr
2、esident George W. Bush announced new goals for theNational Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), directing the agency to focuson returning humans to the Moon by 2020, and eventually sending them to Mars and“worlds beyond.” The President invited other countries to join. Most of the funding for
3、this “Vision for Space Exploration” is to be redirected from other NASA activities,including terminating the space shuttle program in 2010, and ending U.S. participationin the International Space Station by 2016. NASA released an implementation plan forthe Vision on September 19, 2005, and estimated
4、 the cost of returning humans to theMoon by 2018 (NASAs current goal) at $104 billion. An estimate for sending peopleto Mars was not provided. This report identifies issues Congress has been consideringas it debates the Presidents Vision. This is the final edition of this report; see CRSIssue Brief
