Seeking A Human Spaceflight Program Worthy Of A Great Nation

The U.S. human spaceflight program appears to be on an
unsustainable trajectory. It is perpetuating the perilous practice
of pursuing goals that do not match allocated resources.
Space operations are among the most demanding and unforgiving
pursuits ever undertaken by humans. It really is
rocket science. Space operations become all the more difficult
when means do not match aspirations. Such is the
case today.
The nation is facing important decisions on the future of human
spaceflight. Will we leave the close proximity of low-
Earth orbit, where astronauts have circled since 1972, and
explore the solar system, charting a path for the eventual
expansion of human civilization into space? If so, how will
we ensure that our exploration delivers the greatest benefit
to the nation? Can we explore with reasonable assurances
of human safety? Can the nation marshal the resources to
embark on the mission?
Whatever space program is ultimately selected, it must be
matched with the resources needed for its execution. How
can we marshal the necessary resources? There are actually
more options available today than in 1961, when President
Kennedy challenged the nation to “commit itself to the goal,
before this decade is out, of landing a man on the Moon and
returning him safely to the Earth.”