[meteorite-list] Next Generation of Explorers Takes the Stage

From: Ron Baalke <baalke_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Tue, 20 Aug 2013 09:34:55 -0700 (PDT)
Message-ID: <201308201634.r7KGYtXK001334_at_zagami.jpl.nasa.gov>

August 20, 2013

Joshua Buck
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-1100
jbuck at nasa.gov
     
RELEASE 13-258

Next Generation of Explorers Takes the Stage

NASA, International Community United in Support of Bold Space Exploration Program

NASA Administrator Charles Bolden on Tuesday formally welcomed the eight
newest candidates to the astronaut corps and unveiled a space exploration
roadmap that makes clear the global community is working together on a
unified deep space exploration strategic plan, with robotic and human
missions to destinations that include near-Earth asteroids, the moon and
Mars.

At NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, the members of the 2013 astronaut
class spoke with reporters about their new roles and their desire to help the
agency push the boundaries of exploration and travel to new destinations in
the solar system. These next-generation American astronauts will be among
those who will have the opportunity to fly on new commercial space
transportation systems that are now under development. They also will be
among those to plan and perhaps carry out the first-ever human missions to an
asteroid and Mars.

"This class joins a distinguished and elite group of Americans who have
carried out historic missions to the moon, deployed space telescopes and
built an orbiting laboratory the size of a football field, where U.S.
astronauts have continuously lived, worked and conducted research for more
than a dozen years now," said Bolden. "They are being asked to carry on this
extraordinary legacy and ensure the United States remains the world's leader
in exploration and scientific discovery -- carrying with them America's
hopes, dreams and curiosity deep into space, first to an asteroid and one day
on to Mars."

The 2013 astronaut candidate class comes from a pool of 6,000 applicants, the
second largest in NASA history. Half of the selectees are women, making this
the highest percentage of female astronaut candidates ever selected for a
single class. The group will participate in extensive technical training at
space centers and remote locations around the world to prepare for missions
beyond low-Earth orbit.

Bolden also spoke about the updated Global Exploration Roadmap (GER),
released publicly Tuesday. The roadmap reflects the work of 12 space agencies
of the International Space Exploration Coordination Group. It highlights the
international space community's shared interest in pursuing deep space
exploration and reflects the degree of international cooperation on a unified
deep space exploration strategic roadmap.

The shared global vision, as laid out in the GER, includes:
-- an examination of the critical part the International Space Station plays
in deep space exploration;
-- robotic and human missions to destinations that include near-Earth
asteroids, the moon and Mars;
-- validation of the vital role of NASA's asteroid mission in advancing the
capabilities needed to explore Mars and the economic and societal value such
exploration can bring; and
-- a conceptual scenario that demonstrates how missions in the lunar
vicinity, including NASA's asteroid initiative, pave the way for
international missions to Mars in the 2030s, while enabling important
discoveries along the way.

For more information about the astronaut candidates, their photos and details
on the astronaut selection process, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/2013astroclass

To view the Global Exploration Roadmap, visit:

http://go.nasa.gov/1d0cShx

For information about the International Space Exploration Coordination Group,
visit:

http://www.globalspaceexploration.org

For information about NASA and human exploration, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/exploration

-end-
Received on Tue 20 Aug 2013 12:34:55 PM PDT