Human Mission from Planet Earth: finding a rationale for exploration of the Moon and Mars

This paper advances scenarios for an evolutionary approach to the establish ment of a Human Mission from Planet Earth involving exploration and utiliza tion of the Moon and Mars. Of critical importance are the concepts of robot ic-human and Moon-Mars synergies. The paper discusses the rationale variabl es that have an influence on types of space activities pursued and thus the policy that leads to particular scenarios. In this regard, the technologic al, scientific, and sociopolitical/socioeconomic impacts and consequences r elated to a Human Mission from Planet Earth are examined. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.