Space exploration: what does the future hold? Embark on a galactic journey of adventure and discovery as we explore The New Frontier.

100 kilometers above the Earth’s surface lies an invisible frontier: the edge of space. This is the Karman Line, the boundary between our planet’s atmosphere and what lies beyond. What will it take to cross that line?

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100 kilometers above the Earth’s surface lies the edge of space. What will it take to cross the Karman Line: the boundary between our planet’s atmosphere and beyond?

The Astronauts

Launching payloads into space is a historically difficult task. Now, missiles designed to carry atomic warheads send satellites and probes into the solar system—one of Mankind’s few undertakings that doesn't occur in nature.

Launching payloads into space is a historically difficult task. Now, missiles designed to carry atomic warheads send satellites and probes into the solar system.

Getting There

The International Space Station serves as an observation post, research lab and classroom. But other assets orbiting Earth help our everyday lives by delivering communications, observing weather, and handling global positioning and resource management.

In addition to the International Space Station, there are other assets orbiting Earth that help our daily lives—delivering communications and observing weather.

Orbit

Our seafaring nature has translated well to the space age, as we seek to “sail out” into the unknown. The U.S. and NASA have set their sights on manned missions to Mars: can they navigate the dangerous seas of deep space?

The U.S. and NASA have set their sights on manned missions to Mars. Can they “sail” into the unknown and navigate the dangerous seas of deep space?

Shore to Shore

As the ExoMars rover continues to explore, Mars is giving up her secrets. Ultraviolet light reveals invisible clouds, and the search for methane continues. Getting to Mars is one thing; staying long-term is another. Can we really land humans on the red planet?

As the ExoMars rover continues to explore, Mars gives up her secrets. Getting to Mars is one thing; staying is another. Can we really land humans on the red planet?

Mars: Adapt or Leave

Our solar system is so vast, it is nearly 150 million kilometers, or 1 Astronomical Unit (AU), from the Sun to the Earth. And Pluto is up to 48 AUs away! Although humans cannot yet travel that sort of distance, we can—and do—send robots and probes in our place; and the results are astounding.

It is nearly 150 million km, or 1 Astronomical Unit (AU), from the Sun to the Earth. Humans can’t travel that far, but robots and probes can—with astounding results.

Emissaries

Space exploration is expensive, but there is one program that is essential: the Planetary Defense Program, which locates, identifies and deflects wayward asteroids. At last count, there were 15,000 asteroids that were dangerously close to Earth.

Space exploration is expensive, but one program is essential: the Planetary Defense Program, which locates and deflects the 15,000 wayward asteroids close to Earth.

Danger Asteroids Ahead

For an instrument first developed in the 17th century, the telescope has traveled a long way. Now, the latest version of the once-humble telescope is going a lot farther—carrying us closer to the first light that ever bathed our universe.

The latest version of the once-humble telescope is going farther than ever before—carrying us closer to the first light that ever bathed our universe.

First Light

Stars come in all shapes and sizes. They can be warm or cold, and dim or bright. Recent discoveries suggest that the number of stars in our Milky Way galaxy alone may exceed 200 billion. What more can we learn about these citizens of the night sky?

Recent discoveries suggest that the number of stars in our Milky Way galaxy alone may exceed 200 billion. What more can we learn about these citizens of the night sky?

Stars Above

We don’t know much about two of the enduring mysteries of the Universe—Dark Matter and Dark Energy—but scientists are devoting great time and energy into learning much more.

We don’t know much about two of the enduring mysteries of the Universe—Dark Matter and Dark Energy—but scientists are working to learn much more.