Why do we need to send humans to explore space? The primary reason is that some of us seem to be genetically, biologically, and culturally driven to be curious, to explore and to seek adventure. To answer the questions of when and how, one must examine other rationales such as:

• Fostering international cooperation
• Advancing scientific progress
• Promoting technological development
• Ensuring the prosperity and long-term survival of humanity

Recognizing these benefits, many of the world's space agencies have independently developed their own plans for human exploration away from Earth. These efforts were assessed by the authors, and the results are summarized here.

NASA's post-International Space Station (ISS) plans are focused on human expeditions to Mars. The Russian Aviation and Space Agency (RAKA), despite the country's current political and economic crises, still retains the ambitions for Mars of its Soviet predecessor. The European Space Agency (ESA) and the National Space Development Agency (NASDA) of Japan have proposed robotic missions to the Moon and Mars, but have no definite plans for human expeditions. China appears to be developing an imminent human spaceflight capability, which may make it a possible player in any human exploration initiatives. Finally, the smaller space agencies of nations like Canada, India, and Brazil have no plans of their own but may be willing to participate in initiatives led by the major agencies.

Two major gaps in the current strategies were identified. The first was the lack of any international coordination to unify the plans of the individual space agencies into a united strategy for human exploration away from Earth. Each agency appears focused on one specific destination without considering how it fits into the greater context of overall human expansion into the Solar System. The second was the absence in any of the plans of how public support for the endeavor could be generated and maintained.

It is these gaps that were addressed by the design project.

Mission Statement and Objectives

The mission of this project is to develop an internationally coordinated strategy for human exploration away from Earth and to carry out a detailed design study of one exemplary precursor mission.

The objectives of this strategy are to:

• Stimulate international cooperation, and in particular, seek out the participation of developing countries in human space exploration efforts.
• Increase public interest and support.
• Return scientific results and answers to fundamental questions.
• Promote technological advancement.
• Create a partnership between robots and humans that maximizes the overall results of exploration.
• Stimulate economic growth.
• Ensure that benefits are realized for all humankind.
• Make possible the utilization of extraterrestrial resources.
• Ensure the long-term survival of humanity.

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