NASA unveils Global Exploration Strategy

HOUSTON, Dec. 5 (UPI) -- NASA has unveiled the initial elements of its Global Exploration Strategy and a U.S. lunar architecture -- both steps toward returning humans to the moon.

National Aeronautics and Space Administration Deputy Administrator Shana Dale, who is directing the long-term strategy development effort among 14 of the world's space agencies, said, "This strategy will enable interested nations to leverage their capabilities and financial and technical contributions, making optimum use of globally available knowledge and resources to help energize a coordinated effort that will propel us into this new age of discovery and exploration."

The Global Exploration Strategy focuses on two overarching questions: Why we are returning to the moon? And what do we plan to do when we get there?

NASA's proposed lunar architecture focuses on a third issue: How humans might accomplish the mission of exploring the moon.

"The architecture work has resulted in an understanding of what is required to implement and enable critical exploration objectives," said Doug Cooke, deputy associate administrator of NASA's Exploration Systems Directorate. "This is all important as we continue (to) better define the architecture and our various exploration roles in what is a very exciting future for the United States and the world."