Space policy of the George W. Bush administration 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 partici