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Humans in Space

Humans in Space

Destinations
Earth, Moon, and Mars
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With more than 20 years of operations in low Earth orbit, we are preparing our return to
the Moon for long-term exploration and discovery before taking the next giant leap to
Mars.

Never has humanity endeavored to simultaneously architect multinational infrastructures in

lunar orbit, on the lunar surface, and at Mars — all while maintaining high-demand
government and private-sector operations in low Earth orbit.

Destinations

On flight day 13, Orion reached its maximum distance from Earth during the Artemis I mission when it was 268,563 miles
away from our home planet. Orion has now traveled farther than any other spacecraft built for humans.
NASA

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Space Station
Expedition 70
The Expedition 70 crew began on Sept. 27, 2023. The astronauts and
cosmonauts will be studying an array of microgravity phenomena to benefit
humans living on and off the Earth. The orbital residents will also explore heart
health, cancer treatments, space manufacturing techniques, and more during
their long-duration stay in Earth orbit.

Expedition 70

Why Go to Space
Human space exploration helps to address fundamental questions about our place in the
universe and the history of our solar system.

NASA’s exploration vision is anchored in providing value for humanity by answering some of
the most fundamental questions: Why are we here? How did it all begin? Are we alone?
What comes next?

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 Why Go to Space
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This illustration shows NASA’s Cassini spacecraft in orbit around Saturn. Cassini made 22 orbits that swooped between
the rings and the planet before ending its mission on Sept. 15, 2017, with a final plunge into Saturn.
NASA/JPL

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Artemis
Missions to the
Moon
More
News Humans in Space
NEWS RELEASE

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2 MIN READ

NASA Invites Media to Speak with Artemis II Moon Crew, Recovery

Team

IMAGE ARTICLE

3 MIN READ

I Am Artemis: Josh Whitehead

3 MIN READ 5 MIN READ

NASA Invites Media to First Astronaut Experience the Launch of NASA’s
Launch Aboard Boeing’s Starliner Boeing Crew Flight Test Mission
NEWS RELEASE ARTICLE

3 MIN READ
NASA Sets Coverage of First US
Uncrewed Commercial Moon Landing
NEWS RELEASE

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Commercial Space
A New Way of Doing Business
This is the commercial space age. NASA and space agencies across the globe are
harnessing private-sector innovation in the growing space economy.

Commerical Space

Moonrise over Earth from the Space Shuttle Discovery as it flew over the central Pacific Ocean with stratocumulus clouds
below.
NASA

NASA Organizations Leading Humans in Space

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Exploration Systems
Development Mission
Directorate
Learn about the directorate responsible for sending human
explorers to the Moon and Mars.

Space Operations Mission

Directorate
Learn about the directorate responsible for crew
operations in low Earth orbit.

Humans in Space
22 IMAGES 1 VIDEO

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and Technology Destinations

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Page Last Updated: Oct 20, 2023 Page Editor: Jerry Colen

Responsible NASA Official: Abigail Bowman

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