NASA is going to the moon, Mars and beyond!

On January 14, 2004, President George W. Bush said, "It is time for America to take the next steps." He also said, "We'll make steady progress, one mission, one voyage, one landing at a time."

From this, NASA has a plan. This is the Vision for Space Exploration.

Image above: The shuttle is part of NASA's Vision. Credit: NASA

NASA will make a new spacecraft. This will take the place of the space shuttle. We will stop using the shuttle in 2010.

The space shuttle will help us finish the International Space Station. We will keep using the space station. We will use it to study what happens to the body in space.

Image above: NASA will send people to the moon. Credit: NASA

NASA will send robots to the moon. We will send them between 2008 and 2011. NASA astronauts will again explore the moon, returning between 2018 and 2020.

We will keep using robots to study Mars. NASA will use telescopes to look for planets that are like Earth. And, finally, we will send people to Mars. It will be hard work to get ready for the trip.

So, where will you be in the year 2020? Will you be one of the new explorers on the moon? Maybe you will want to help NASA plan.

Will you help us go to the moon, Mars and beyond?