To address the gaps identified in the current space plans, four new strategy concepts were developed:

Return to the Moon

This strategy focused on the short-term goal of returning to the Moon, which would then serve as a testing ground for the new technologies required to expand human presence in the Solar System.

NEO-Mars

This strategy proposed expanding human presence away from Earth by first exploring and exploiting the resources of near Earth objects (NEOs) and then using them as way- stations for missions to Mars or the Moon.

Political Reality

This strategy sought to merge the government-sponsored human exploration of Mars with the interest of private entities in exploring and exploiting the Moon and NEOs. The government focus on Mars was based on the current "political reality" that much of the current public and space agency interest is on that planet.

Step-by-Step

This strategy called for an internationally coordinated series of focused robotic missions followed by a permanent human presence as soon as possible. The Moon, near Earth objects (NEOs) and Mars are considered not as discrete destinations, but as steps towards the development of a robust infrastructure that addresses not only the scientific and technological aspects but also the legal, economic, and social aspects of human exploration away from Earth.

Working within the context of the mission statement and objectives, a set of requirements was derived to select one strategy for detailed study.

On the basis of the requirements outlined in the Introduction, the Step-by-Step strategy was selected for detailed study because it provided the best plan for long-term human exploration while being flexible enough to meet existing and unforeseen circumstances. The top-level roadmap of the strategy envisions the development of low Earth orbit (LEO) infrastructure, followed by robotic and human missions to the Moon, NEOs and Mars.

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