What to Expect from NASA

The latest NASA experiment with Mars--the Phoenix lander--that explored the Arctic region, was cut off from contact after a vicious dust storm on the surface of the planet. After staggering results, what is next on the agenda for NASA and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory?

After years of speculation, the Phoenix lander confirmed the expectations of many NASA scientists--there is ice on Mars. The Phoenix actually took a sample of frozen soil, melted it, and then took readings from the ancient water. With developments as promising as the Phoenix, NASA is pushing ahead to create new opportunities for both exploration and research.

In the most immediate future, NASA will launch a team of seven astronauts to the International Space Station on the 14th of November to equip it with more modern technology. Specifically, the team is commissioned to create larger living quarters, exercise equipment, and additional hardware. The continued upkeep of the Space Station is crucial to the continued partnership between the US and international space programs. The team, composed of highly decorated military and civilian astronauts, is expected to improve efficiency and standard of living on the space station.

NASA has a busy 2009, as well. In addition to several launches scheduled to maintain, repair, and upgrade various currently orbiting satellites and telescopes, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory at the California Institute of Technology has an October 8th launch date for the next rover in the Mars series, the Atlas V. This mission, coming on the heels of the results from previous Mars rovers, will work to further determine the habitability of Mars as a a suitable environment for life. The success of the Phoenix gives promising hope to the success of the Atlas V.

Just over a month after the 50th Anniversary of the Space Program, NASA has developed a schedule of forward-thinking initiatives that will chart the course of the government-subsidized for the next 50 years. Some of the program's most pressing requests are continued improvement of the space station, a schedule of maintained upkeep for the space shuttle, and continued funding for explorative programs; missions aimed at deriving new knowledge on the unknown.

With a new presidential administration being ushered in, NASA is in a long line to receive funding from an already strapped fiscal budget for 2009. However, without progressive and wide-eyed presidential dreamers--like JFK in the 60's--the innovative science of NASA couldn't help to advance our knowledge of the great unknown.