Recent NASA Accomplishments
- Paper number
IAC-06-LBN.1.
- Author
Mr. Michael Griffin, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)/Headquarters, United States
- Year
2006
- Abstract
Over the past year, NASA has continued to advance the Vision for Space Exploration in each of its Mission Directorates. The flight of Space Shuttle Discovery in July 2006 marked the end to the return to flight effort and the return to a 3-person International Space Station (ISS) crew. Astronauts onboard the STS-115 mission of Space Shuttle Atlantis will recommence ISS assembly. NASA has made incredible discoveries including Cassini locating methane lakes on Saturn’s moon, Titan, and the initial results from the Spitzer Space Telescope concerning dark matter. In addition, the twin Mars Exploration Rovers, Spirit and Opportunity, continue to carry out their mission over 830 days past their original 90 day mission plans. Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate activities have been refocused to return to long-term investment in cutting-edge fundamental research in traditional aeronautics disciplines. In August 2006, the Exploration Systems Mission Directorate announced the selection of Lockheed Martin as the prime Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV) contractor and the name of the CEV, Orion. In December 2006, we will begin to utilize the themes and objectives of the Global Exploration Strategy to map exploration architectures with an initial focus on the Moon. This briefing will provide the latest on these accomplishments and future activities.
- Abstract document