How does NASA plan to pay for the lunar architecture?
The President’s Budget, as projected for fiscal years 2007 through 2011, provides NASA sufficient resources to complete the first phase of the Vision for Space Exploration, which includes completing the International Space Station, retiring the Space Shuttle by 2010, and keeping efforts on track to bring the Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle on-line by 2014 and return people to the moon by 2020, while continuing strong programs in aeronautics, and space and Earth science. NASA continues to employ a “go-as-we-can-afford-to-pay” approach to development activities related to achieving the Vision for Space Exploration goals. With that in mind, NASA’s initial concepts for returning humans to the Moon are designed to be flexible as many issues that could impact cost and schedule remain to be resolved. For example, international and commercial participation could reduce costs and provide greater schedule and operational flexibility, while also enhancing the United States’ capabilities to explore
