Why 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.
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Become Part of Space History - Get Involved
Charting Your Journey to Mars!
About the Challenge
The goal of the Exploration Design Challenge is for students to research and design ways to protect astronauts from space radiation. NASA and Lockheed Martin are developing the Orion spacecraft that will carry astronauts beyond low Earth orbit and on to an asteroid or Mars. Protecting astronauts from radiation on these distant travels is an important -- and very real -- problem that needs solving. NASA would like your help!
Start the Challenge Now
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Welcome to the Challenge -- From Astronaut Sunita Williams
Invitation to Participate -- From NASA Associate Administrator for Education Leland Melvin
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Join the Team -- From Orion Propulsion Engineer Heather McKay
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Exploration Design Challenge Partners
Virginia Team Wins EDC
Team ARES from Hampton, Va., will work with NASA to prepare their experimental design for flight later this year.
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› And Then There Were Five . . .
› Final Five Selected
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Ask the Experts
Lockheed Martin and NASA experts answer questions about Orion, radiation and deep space travel.
Orion
Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle
Orion will carry the crew to space and provide safe re-entry from deep space return velocities.
› Orion Home Page
› Orion Paper Model
Need Answers?
Look here for information regarding our most commonly asked questions.
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