NASA: Past, Present, and Future - Paperback

by Space And Technol Committee on Science (Author)

NASA has a storied past. Over the past 6 decades NASA has sent humans to the lunar surface, robotically explored, all the planets in the solar system, landed and operated rovers on Mars, monitored Earth and its systems, and studied the sun, and looked deep into the universe. NASA has led the multination International Space Station partnership and has supported continuous human operations on the International Space Station, ISS, for over 15 years. In addition, NASA has made significant progress in demonstrating the use of commercially contracted services for cargo resupply of the ISS. NASA's Earth science program has a long history of space-based observations in support of research to better understand our Earth's systems and our changing climate. NASA carries out aeronautics research, which has been vital to the growth and safety of America's aerospace industry. Today, NASA is making steady progress on developing the Space Launch System, the Orion spacecraft, and the exploration ground systems, the key systems that will enable us to once again send our astronauts beyond low-Earth orbit and eventually to Mars. As important as these activities are to advancing NASA's priorities in space and aeronautics, they are no less important to us here on Earth. Advances in human health research and medical diagnostic tools, materials, and advanced technologies developed through the space program have all helped improve our daily lives. We cannot take NASA's incredible achievements or the benefits they provide for granted. They will not continue without a sustained commitment of vision, resources, and support.