The Issue Human and robotic exploration beyond Earth orbit has great scientific, technological, and cultural significance Leadership inspires STEM careers and technology advancements with economic, national security, and social benefits · Sustaining leadership requires on-going achievements in which each generation can take some ownership Continued exploration success requires that the following challenges be tackled cost-effectively · Reliable and progressively more capable transportation · Fully synergistic human and robotic operations · Means to counter adverse effects on humans of space radiation and micro-gravity de-conditioning · Power generation to meet deep space exploration needs Resources made available for deep space exploration must be wisely applied toward well-conceived goals NASAs Space Launch System (SLS) will evolve to enable progressively more ambitious missions The Orion Vehicle will support resumed human operations beyond Earth orbit Pictures Courtesy NASA The long-term goal is to add footprints to the rover tracks already on Mars
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