Nasa Space Exploration Continues With New Missions In 2012

Although NASA stopped launching space shuttles in 2011, it still has an ambitious plan to continue space exploration in 2012. Facing increasing budget cuts, and the need to streamline its operations, the space shuttle program came to an end in 2011 after the space shuttle Atlantis made its final landing at Cape Canaveral in July. NASA entered a new phase of space exploration by creating a new fleet of budget minded space craft to explore our solar system. These missions featured smaller and more efficient spacecraft. They can be built with a less expense price tag than the massive shuttle program. 


NASA will keep the space exploration ball rolling with greater efficiency as it prepares for up to 17 space vehicle tests and rocket launches the next two years. The vast majority of these tests occur in partnership with other countries and space agencies. By partnering up, NASA is able to stretch its budget dollar and gain an expanded opportunity for space exploration. 


Desipite the recent budget cutbacks, there are several NASA space probes still trekking across the solar system, while others remain on station making amazing discoveries. Cassini continues to orbit Saturn and has been taking amazing snapshots of a planetary storm in the northern Hemisphere of Saturn. The Opportunity rover is still rolling across the Martial landscape. Opportunity has been in operation for over 5 years and is well past its planned mission life. 


Another probe is orbiting a rocky asteroid, getting ready to embark for another rendezvous with an icy one. More rovers are headed for Mars and space telescopes are still probing the depths of the universe. The New Horizons spacecraft is still on its nearly 10 year journey to Pluto and is expected to reach our farthest planet in 2015. 


In addition, NASA is still lending technical support and manpower to keep the International Space Station in orbit. 


Sources: 
NASA.gov