Liftoff! The Ares I-X test rocket launched at 11:30 a.m. EDT Wednesday from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida for a two-minute powered flight.
- NASA Home
- > Exploration
- > Home
Why We Explore
Why Do We Explore?
From the time of our birth, humans have felt a primordial urge to explore -- to blaze new trails, map new lands, and answer profound questions about ourselves and our universe.
Exploration History
This Month in Exploration
Visit every month to find out how aviation and space exploration have improved life for humans on Earth and in space.
Conferences and Speeches
Exploration at NASA
At the core of NASA's future space exploration is a return to the moon, where we will build a sustainable long term human presence. As the space shuttle approaches retirement and the International Space Station nears completion, NASA is building the next fleet of vehicles to bring astronauts back to the moon, and possibly to Mars and beyond.
Top Featured Stories
Ares I-X Rocket Completes Successful Flight Test
Ares I-X Launch Rescheduled for Oct. 28
Ares I-X will have another four-hour window to launch beginning at 8 a.m. EDT on Wednesday, Oct. 28, after weather concerns delayed the first opportunity on Oct. 27.
Building an Original
A small, dedicated team showcases NASA's entrepreneurial spirit with the assembly and rollout of the Ares I-X rocket.
More Featured Stories
-
History in Slow Motion
Apollo-era crawler transports third-generation space vehicle to the launch pad.
-
Discs, Flags Commemorate I-X Flight
The Ares I-X will carry homemade videos to mark flight test.
 "Ares I-X in flight.")
 "The Ares I-X on the launch pad.")
![Ares I-X at launch pad](javascript:watchNASAOnDemandVideos('','http://anon.nasa-global.edgesuite.net/anon.nasa-global/ksc/ksc_102109_aresIx_rollout.asx','http://anon.nasa-global.edgesuite.net/anon.nasa-global/ksc/ksc_102109_aresIx_rollout.asx','','Ares I-X Gets "Go" for Launch','397556main_ksc_102809_ares_poll-t.gif','209742','') "Ares I-X at launch pad")
Exploration Image Gallery
Exploration - News Releases
Exploration Interactives
-
Whose video will be featured next?
Submit your video answering why you think space exploration is important and it could be featured online!
-
Virtual Lunar Outpost
What kind of things do humans need to live and work on the lunar surface?
-
NASA Home and City 2.0
Do you know how to find a trace of outer space in your home and city? This updated release is loaded with new features.
-
Space Your Face! →
Be a part of exploration -- one step, one "groove" at a time! Upload your photo and show friends and family your space moves!
-
Get Your EXN3D Pocket Viewfinder Downloads Here!
-
Exploration 101
NASA's 101 lesson on the future of space exploration.
-
NASA 101
A summary of NASA's many programs and projects.
-
Space in D.C.
Learn about all the space-related destinations in Washington, DC.
