WHY EXPLORE SPACE?

Humanity has always been fascinated by the heavens. Humans are driven to explore the unknown, discover new worlds, and expand our scientific and technical limits. This desire to explore and challenge the boundaries of what we know has provided benefits to our society for centuries. Human space exploration helps address fundamental questions about our place in the universe and the history of our galaxy and solar system. Through addressing the challenges related to human space exploration, we expand technology, create new industries, and help foster peaceful connections with other nations. Curiosity and exploration are vital to the human spirit and accepting the challenge of going deeper into space invites citizens of the world to work together on the exciting journey.

CURRENT NASA SPACE PROGRAMS

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is an independent agency of the U.S. federal government responsible for the civil space program, aeronautics research, and space research.

• Artemis Program
  Under the Artemis program, the U.S. will land a crew of four, including the first woman and the first person of color, on the Moon with commercial and international partners; this is currently scheduled for the end of 2024.

• International Space Station (ISS)
  The International Space Station is a modular space station in low Earth orbit. It is a multinational collaborative project involving five participating space agencies.
• James Webb Telescope
  The James Webb Space Telescope, a NASA-led project in collaboration with the European and Canadian space agencies, will be world’s next premier space science observatory. Webb will solve mysteries of our solar system, look beyond to distant worlds around other stars, and probe the mystifying structures and origins of our universe.
• MARS Rover
  Why explore Mars? There are several practical and scientific reasons to explore Mars. Among them we know that Mars is the most accessible place in the solar system. Additionally, exploring Mars provides the opportunity to possibly answer origin and evolution of life questions, and could someday be a destination for survival of humankind.
• NASA Explainer Videos
  The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is America’s civil space program and the global leader in space exploration.

OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION

• Artemis Accords – United States Department of State
  The Artemis Accords, established on October 13, 2020, underpin the 21st-century framework for peaceful and cooperative space exploration, supported by the Outer Space Treaty of 1967. Facilitated by the U.S. Department of State and NASA, these accords promote sustainable and transparent civil space activities with 43 countries.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

• Why do you think humanity continues to seek knowledge about the universe?
• Do you believe space exploration is important?
• What tools do we have to study space?
• The Artemis Program. Why do we want to go back to the moon? Do you think it’s a good idea? Why?
• A female astronaut will be in the crew when Artemis lands on the moon. Why is this important?
• Would you like to be an astronaut? Or work on a space program or related field?
• They say many new jobs in the future will be in the STEM fields (Science-Technology-Engineering-Math). Do you have a desire to pursue these interests?
• Do you think we are alone in the Universe? Is there life elsewhere? Yes or no? Why do you think this?

STUDY SPACE-RELATED FIELDS AT U.S. UNIVERSITIES IN THE U.S.!

EducationUSA

Many U.S. universities offer degree programs in fields related to space exploration. EducationUSA, a U.S. Department of State network of international student advising centers in more than 170 countries, can help prospective university students identify those opportunities. EducationUSA is officially a branch in the Office of Global Educational Programs in the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.