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Today the only people who can take trips to the moon are astronauts who are doing experiments on the moon. Early in 2008 NASA plans to begin robotic missions to explore the moon's surface. Later on that year they want to develop and test a new spacecraft, the Crew Exploration Vehicle, which could carry astronauts to the moon. Two years after that they want to complete the International Space Station and retire the Space Shuttle. In 2014 NASA wants to launch a manned mission using the Crew Exploration Vehicle. The next year, 2015, would be the earliest possible moon mission. Their goal would be to work and live there for longer periods of time.
Even though NASA wants to go ahead and get better technology they might not be able to because they might have to cut back on the budget. This has some scientists worried that proposals to send robotic spacecraft to destinations other than the moon or mars could receive lower priority. Because they might have to cut back on the budget, the growth of space will be slower. Another source said the space science budget, which is now about $4 billion a year, will grow 25% over the next five years instead of the previously projected 50%.
Are they ready to go to Mars yet? Almost, no timetable was set but a proposed moon base could serve as a launching pad for a mission to mars.
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