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As part of President [[George W. Bush]]'s ''Vision for Human Space Exploration'', the '''Constellation Program''' is the umbrella program for all human space exploration.
Near-term goals for the program include finding more cost-effective means to put large loads into orbit, a replacement for the [[Space Shuttle]], gaining experience in the long-term effects of human spaceflight via the [[International Space Station]], and returning human beings to the [[moon]]. Long-term goals include the establishment of a permanent manned lunar base which will be crewed by 6-month crews (similiar to the International Space Statiion), and sending humans to [[Mars]] and other solar system bodies.
The near-term goals are being met by the [[Ares 1-X]] rocket, which being developed as a heavy-lifting rocket to orbit, the [[Ares IV]] rocket to send loads to more distant destinations (the Moon, Mars), the [[Orion Crew Capsule]] as the vehicle in which humans will explore the solar system, and the [[Altair Lander]] to carry humans down to the surface of other worlds.
[[Category: United States]]
[[Category:Science]]
[[Category:Space Exploration]]
[[Category: Astronauts]]