Goal: Develop and test the crew exploration vehicle for space travel
Target: Still in progress 2008 Promised in: January 2004 Progress: The crew exploration vehicle will not be ready for testing this year, but a NASA spokeswoman, Stephanie Schierholz, said that should not hold the program back.
Goal: Complete the international space station
Target: Still in progress 2009 Promised in: January 2004 Progress: The space station, now 76 percent complete, should be finished by 2010.
Goal: New equipment flown to international space station for the first time
Target: Still in progress 2010 Promised in: January 2004 Progress: The first flight of new moon vehicles to the station has been pushed back to 2015. NASA cites delays in congressional approval of funding. Since January 2004, when Bush made his pledge, NASA has spent a total of $10 billion on exploration system projects.
Goal: Conduct manned mission to moon
Target: Maybe someday 2020 Promised in: January 2004 Progress: Schierholz says that NASA is moving "steadily" toward a moon landing by 2020.
Goal: Conduct manned mission to Mars
Target: Maybe someday 2030 Promised in: January 2004 Progress: After the moon landing, Schierholz says, a Mars landing by 2030 should still be possible, although critics argue that the moon program retards progress on a Mars expedition.
This article appeared in the Saturday, July 19, 2008 edition of National Journal.
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