NASA outlines lunar strategy

By MARK CARREAU
Dec 4 2006 Houston Chronicle

NASA has settled on a half dozen reasons to justify a U.S.-led global initiative to return human explorers to the moon, ranging from exploration and scientific discovery to improved international relations, according to the space agency official who led a yearlong evaluation.

The study included discussions with representatives from 13 foreign space agencies as well as experts from industry and academia. The strategy seeks to build on cooperative ties forged between the U.S. and 15 other nations to develop the international space station.

The justifications differ significantly from those from the Cold War, which spurred

NASA's Apollo astronauts to reach the moon ahead of the former Soviet Union nearly 40 years ago.

"These are huge endeavors we are embarking upon," said Shana Dale, NASA's deputy administrator. "We have seen the benefits of collaboration on the international space station. As we move forward, we want to make sure we are working very collaboratively with both the internationals and the commercial sector."

Dale leads a delegation of space agency officials to Houston this week for discussions of NASA's lunar strategy during a three-day Space Exploration Conference at the George R. Brown Convention Center.

The conference, which starts today, was organized by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics and is expected to draw 1,000 participants.

In an interview, Dale said NASA intends to make its lunar return strategy as responsive to its international partners and commercial interests as possible. Major studies addressing scientific priorities will wrap up next year.

"In the long run, it makes for a much more sustainable program. This is definitely not just the United States doing this on its own," she said.