SPACE

A Galaxy of Goals: Space

by Will Englund

Sat. Jul 19, 2008


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.

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