Space policy of the George W. Bush administration

The George W. Bush administration's space policy is mainly associated with the Vision for Space Exploration, announced in 2004. A formal National Space Policy was released in 2006.

Vision for Space Exploration

The Space Shuttle Columbia disaster occurred early in George W. Bush's term, leading to the report of the Columbia Accident Investigation Board being released in August 2003. The Vision for Space Exploration, announced on January 14, 2004 by President George W. Bush, was seen as a response to the Columbia disaster, the state of human spaceflight at NASA, and a way to regain public enthusiasm for space exploration. The Vision for Space Exploration sought to implement a sustained and affordable human and robotic program to explore the solar system and beyond; extend human presence across the solar system, starting with a human return to the Moon by the year 2020, in preparation for human exploration of Mars and other destinations; develop the innovative technologies, knowledge, and infrastructures both to explore and to support decisions about the destinations for human exploration; and to promote international and commercial participation in exploration to further U.S. scientific, security, and economic interests

To this end, the President's Commission on Implementation of United States Space Exploration Policy was a Presidential Commission formed by President Bush on January 27, 2004. - Establishment...
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