national security presidential directive 31

8/8/2019 National Security Presidential Directive 31

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THE WHITE HOUSEWASHINGTON

January 14, 2 0 0 4

NATIONAL SECURITY PRESIDENTIAL DIRECTIVE/NSPD-31MEMORANDUM FOR-THE ICE PRESIDENT

THE SECRETARY OF STATETHE SECRETARY OF THE TREASURYTHE SECRETARY OF DEFENSETHE ATTORNEY GENERALTHE SECRETARY OF COMMERCETHE SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATIONTHE SECRETARY OF ENERGYTHE SECRETARY OF HOMELAND SECURITYDIRECTOR, OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGETASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT FOR NATIONAL SECURITYAFFAIRS

ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT FOR DOMESTIC POLICYASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT FOR HOMELAND SECURITYASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT FOR ECONOMIC POLICYDIRECTOR, OFFICE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGYPOLICY

DIRECTOR OF CENTRAL INTELLIGENCECHAIRMAN OF THE JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFFADMINISTRATOR, NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACEADMINISTRATIONDIRECTOR, NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION

SUBJECT U.S. Space Exploration PolicyThis directive establishes U.S. policy, guidelines, andimplementation actions for space exploration. This documentsupplements Presidential Decision ~ i r e c t i v e / ~ ~ ~ - 4 9 / ~ ~ ~ ~ - 8 ,National Space Policy, Section 11, Civil Space Guidelines. Tothe extent that these, or other existing presidentialdirectives, are inconsistent with this directive, this directivewill be the controlling authority.The monitoring and suggestions for revisions and supplementationof this document shall be the joint responsibility of theNational Security Council and the Domestic Policy Council, incooperation with other agencies as appropriate.


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I. BackgroundFrom the Apollo landings on the Moon, to robotic surveys of theSun and the planets, to the compelling images captured byadvanced space telescopes, U.S. achievements in space haverevolutionized humanity's view of the universe and have inspiredAmericans and people around the world. These achievements alsohave led to the development of technologies that have widespreadapplications to address problems on Earth. As the world entersthe second century of powered flight, it is time to articulate anew vision that will define and guide U.S. space explorationactivities for the next several decades.Today, humanity has the potential to seek answers to the mostfundamental questions posed about the origins of the universeand the existence of life beyond Earth. Telescopes have foundplanets around other stars. Robotic probes have identifiedpotential resources on the Moon, and evidence of water - - a keyingredient for life - - has been found on Mars and the moons ofJupiter.Direct human experience in space has fundamentally altered ourperspect'ive of humanity and our place in the universe. Humanshave the ability to respond to the unexpected developmentsinherent in space travel and possess unique skills that enhancediscoveries. Just as Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo challenged ageneration of Americans, a renewed U.S. space explorationprogram with a significant human component can inspire us - - andour youth - - to greater achievements on Earth and in space.The loss of Space Shuttles Challenger and Columbia and theircrews are a stark reminder of the inherent risks of space flightand the severity of the challenges posed by space exploration.In preparation for future human exploration, we must advance ourability to live and work safely in space and, at the same time,develop the technologies to extend humanity's reach to the Moon,Mars, and beyond. The new technologies required for furtherspace exploration also will improve the Nation's other spaceactivities and may provide applications that could be used toaddress problems on Earth.Like the explorers of the past and the pioneers of flight in thelast century, we cannot today identify all that we will gainfrom space exploration; we are confident, nonetheless, that theeventual return will be great. Like their efforts, the successof future U.S. space exploration will unfold over generations.


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11. Policy Goal and ObjectivesThe fundamental goal of this policy is to advance U.S.scientific, security, and economic interests through a robustspace exploration program. In support of this goal, the UnitedStates will:0 Implement a sustained and affordable human and robotic program

to explore the solar system and beyond;Extend human presence across the solar system, starting with ahuman return to the Moon by the year 2020, in preparation forhuman exploration of Mars and other destinations;Develop the innovative technologies, knowledge, andinfrastructures both to explore and to support decisions aboutthe destinations for human exploration; andPromote international and commercial participation inexploration to further U.S. scientific, security, and economicinterests.

111. Implementation GuidelinesThe Administrator of the National Aeronautics and SpaceAdministration will be responsible for the plans, programs, andactivities required to implement this policy, in coordinationwith other agencies, as deemed appropriate. The Administratorwill plan and implement an integrated, long-term robotic andhuman exploration program structured with measurable milestonesand executed on the basis of available resources, accumulatedexperience, and technology readiness.To implement the goal and objectives of this policy, theAdministrator will conduct the following activities and takeother actions as required:A. Exploration Activities in Low Earth Orbit

1. Space ShuttleReturn the Space Shuttle to flight as soon as practical,based on the recommendations of the Columbia AccidentInvestigation Board;


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Focus use of the Space Shuttle to complete assembly of theInternational Space Station; andRetire the Space Shuttle as soon as assembly of theInternational Space Station is completed, planned for theend of this decade;International Space Station

Complete assembly of the International Space Station,including the U.S. components that support U.S. spaceexploration goals and those provided by foreign partners,planned for the end of this decade;Focus U.S. research and use of the International SpaceStation on supporting space exploration goals, withemphasis on understanding how the space environment affectsastronaut health and capabilities and developingcountermeasures; andConduct International Space Station activities in a mannerconsistent with U.S. .obligations contained in theagreements between the United States and other partners inthe International Space Station.

B. Space Exploration Beyond Low Earth Orbit1. The Moon

Undertake lunar exploration activities to enable sustainedhuman and robotic exploration of Mars and more distantdestinations in the solar system;Starting no later than 2008, initiate a series of roboticmissions to the Moon to prepare for and support futurehuman exploration activities;Conduct the first extenaed human expedition to the lunarsurface as early as 2015, but no later than the year 2020;andUse lunar exploration activities to further science, and todevelop and test new approaches, technologies, and systems,including use of lunar and other space resources, tosupport sustained human space exploration to Mars and otherdestinations.


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. 2. Mars and Other DestinationsConduct robotic exploration of Mars to search for evidenceof life, to understand the history of the solar system, andto prepare for future human exploration;,Conduct robotic exploration across the solar system forscientific purposes and to support human exploration. Inparticular, explore Jupiter's moons, asteroids and otherbodies to search for evidence of life, to understand thehistory of the solar system, and to search for resources;Conduct advanced telescope searches for Earth-like planetsand habitable environments around other stars;Develop and demonstrate power generation, propulsion, lifesupport, and other key capabilities required to supportmore distant, more capable, and/or longer duration humanand robotic exploration of Mars and other destinations; andConduct human expeditions to Mars after acquiring adequateknowledge about the planet using robotic missions and aftersuccessfully demonstrating sustained human explorationmissions to the Moon.

C. Space Transportation Capabilities Supporting ExplorationDevelop a new crew exploration vehicle to provide crewtransportation for missions beyond low Earth orbit;

Conduct the initial test flight before the end of thisdecade in order to provide an operational capability tosupport human exploration missions no later than 2014;Separate to the maximum practical extent crew from cargotransportation to the International Space Station and forlaunching exploration missions beyond low Earth orbit;

Acquire cargo transportation as soon as practical andaffordable to support missions to and'from theInternational Space Station; andAcquire crew transportation to and from the InternationalSpace Station, as required, after the Space Shuttle isretired from service.


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D. International an d Commercial ParticipationPursue opportunities for international participation tosupport U.S. space exploration goals; and

Pursue commercial opportunities for providingtransportation and other services supporting theInternational Space Station and exploration missions beyondlow Earth orbit.

national security presidential directive 31

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