“As we approach the retirement of the International Space Station in 2030, these goals are an important next step in solidifying U.S. leadership in space,” said NASA Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy. “Our consultations with industry, academia, and international partners have helped refine a visionary roadmap for our future in low Earth orbit, enabled by continued human presence. Together, We’re making sure the benefits of space exploration continue to grow—advancing science, innovation, and opportunity for all, for humanity’s next great leap of exploration to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. Preparing.”
As early as 2024, NASA began a planning process that included drafting an initial set of goals and objectives for the low-Earth orbit microgravity environment. Ask for feedback from its workforce, government partners, industry, academia, international space agencies and the public. The agency reviewed and hosted more than 1,800 comments. Two workshopsresulting in necessary adjustments in goals and objectives to better align with their partners. The final framework includes 13 goals and 44 objectives in seven key areas: commercial low-Earth orbit infrastructure, operations, research for science, research and technology development, international cooperation, manpower development and science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) engagement, and public engagement.
The agency’s efforts in low Earth orbit are integral to the broader ambitions of deep space exploration. The microgravity environment in low-Earth orbit provides a cost-effective, easily accessible proving ground for research and technologies necessary for human missions to explore the Solar System. With much of the journey to the Moon and Mars taking place in microgravity, the missions provide an opportunity to continue critical human research, test future exploration systems, and maintain critical skills needed to operate in microgravity environments.
“These ultimate goals represent a clear path as NASA transitions from the International Space Station to a new era of commercial space stations,” said Robin Gittens, director of the International Space Station and acting director of commercial spaceflight. “Low Earth orbit will continue to be a hub for scientific discovery, technological development, and international collaboration, while making strategic investments in the commercial space ecosystem that will benefit not only NASA, but the entire space community.”
The goals and objectives of low-Earth orbit microgravity, combined with key stakeholder engagement, drive NASA’s need to sustain a human heartbeat throughout the era of commercial low-Earth orbit destinations. NASA needs long-duration flybys to reduce the risk of future visits to the Red Planet. To ensure reliable access to and use of low-Earth orbit, a diversity of regularly operating providers is essential. The goals will also guide the development of requirements for future commercial space stations that will support NASA’s missions, while reducing risk to human missions to Mars, preserving operational skills, and advancing critical scientific research. Increase, and maintain engagement with international and commercial partners.
“Collaboration and consultation are the cornerstones of our low-Earth orbit strategy,” said John Keefe, director of cross-agency strategy integration at NASA. “The goals we have established will help NASA create a work plan that ensures NASA is positioned to meet current and future needs and the development of critical capabilities for low-Earth orbit. prefers.”
Low Earth Orbit Microgravity Goals and Objectives are available online at:
Finally
Amber Jacobson
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-1600
amber.c.jacobson@nasa.gov