The Future

20/20 Vision Geologists and biologists will one day explore Mars, piecing together the history of the planet and perhaps its ancient life. Artwork done for NASA by Pat Rawlings.

For when I look at the moon I do not see a hostile, empty world. I see the radiant body where man has taken his first steps into a frontier that will never end.

--David R. Scott, Commander Apollo 15
   'National Geographic', Vol 144, No 3, Sept. 1973

Endless are the possibilities for the future of exploration of the Earth and beyond. Even as unmanned spacecraft are launched to explore the planets in our stead, we look to the stars and long for the time when humans will again travel beyond our planet. Certainly, one day in the not-too-distant future astronauts will again step foot on the Moon and perhaps even make the long journey to Mars.

While there are currently no formal plans for further human exploration of our solar system, scientists and engineers are developing concepts, ideas, and technologies that will one day be required to visit our neighboring planets. Space exploration continues with unmanned spacecraft, shuttle missions, and the construction of the International Space Station.

The Astrogeology Research Program continues to grow and evolve to meet the needs of upcoming missions. The following pages outline some of what the Program is looking forward to in the next few years.

Astrogeology's Future Tour

• Upcoming Missions: our involvement in planned explorations
• The Next 10 Years: where we are going in the near future

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