Mission

The activities of FY 1997 reflected the mission of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the mission of the Johnson Space Center and the goals of the Human Exploration and Development of Space Enterprise.

NASA's mission is to

• Advance and communicate scientific knowledge and understanding of the Earth, the solar system and the universe and to use the environment of space for research
• Explore, use and enable the development of space for human enterprise
• Research, develop, verify and transfer advanced aeronautics, space and related technologies

The mission of the Johnson Space Center is the expansion of a human presence in space through exploration and utilization for the benefit of all. The Center also is responsible for leadership in the field of astromaterials -- all natural materials from space including galactic and solar wind, interplanetary dust, and materials from comets, asteroids and other planetary bodies.

The goals of the Human Exploration and Development of Space Enterprise are to

• Prepare to conduct human missions of exploration to planetary and other bodies in the solar system
• Use the environment of space to expand scientific knowledge
• Provide safe and affordable human access to space, establish a human presence in space, and share the human experience of being in space
• Enable the commercial development of space and share Human Exploration and Development of Space knowledge, technologies, and assets that promise to enhance the quality of life on Earth