To Mars or an Asteroid by 2025

“The new national space policy calls on NASA to target missions beyond low-Earth orbit — such as to an asteroid — by 2025, with the eventual goal of sending astronauts to Mars.” The CSM reports. “International cooperation is key on all fronts included in the new space policy, White House officials said. ‘If there’s one really broad theme it is international cooperation, which is woven throughout the new policy and it’s our sort of foundational emphasis for achieving all of our goals in space,’ said Barry Pavel, senior director for defense policy and strategy for the National Security Council.” The new policy also emphasizes developing a robust commercial space sector.