User:Sdsds/sandbox/Human exploration beyond low Earth orbit

Human exploration beyond low Earth orbit is the use of human spaceflight for space exploration at locations in outer space beyond low Earth orbit (LEO). Currently all space exploration beyond LEO is conducted using robotic spacecraft. The last human spaceflight beyond LEO was Apollo 17 in December of 1972.

In the 20th century
Project Apollo was a human spaceflight program conducted by NASA in the late 20th century. The project included nine flights beyond LEO. Apollo 8 and Apollo 10 orbited the Moon; Apollo 13 went around the Moon in a free return trajectory; Apollo 11, Apollo 12, Apollo 14, Apollo 15, Apollo 16 and Apollo 17 all landed astronauts on the surface of the Moon.

These are the only times humans have gone beyond LEO. Subsequent space exploration has relied primarily on robotics and telepresence, and on the use of observatory-based science.

Planned for the early 21st century

 * Lunar surface and lunar orbit

NASA is working on Project Constellation as part of the U.S. Vision for Space Exploration which was formally announced on January 14, 2004. The ESA and Roscosmos are planning a joint effort called Crew Space Transportation System (CSTS). Although not formally announced as such, the Chinese Lunar Exploration Program likely includes planning for human spaceflight missions to the Moon, possibly using Shenzhou spacecraft.

NASA and ESA each have programs intended to include human landings on Mars: the ESA Aurora Programme and NASA's Vision for Space Exploration.
 * Mars

Former NASA astronaut Tom Jones has suggested near-Earth asteroids as a desitination for human spaceflight. Several orbits beyond LEO have been proposed destinations for human spaceflights. In particular the Earth-Moon Lagrange point EM L-1 may be a logical location for human assembly or servicing of spacecraft destined for trans-lunar orbits.
 * Near-Earth Asteroids
 * High Earth orbits