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ASTEP's high-visibility missions to extreme environments should provide significant opportunities for student involvement in exploration. From scientfic discovery to robotic creation, students will have a unique opportunity to work alongside professionals in a hands-on environment, exciting a technologically competent next generation.
Inevitably, the technology tested and improved through ASTEP will have commercial applications, particularly in the fields of biomedicine and robotics. Thus, in addition to sharing the excitement of preparing to explore Mars, industry and the community will benefit directly from the products of the ASTEP program.
With its rigorous systems and field testing here on Earth, ASTEP will reduce the potential risks involved with future planetary missions to extreme environments. This will increase the viability of future robotic missions, making future human missions safer as well. ASTEP will improve technology and foster a much better understanding of exactly how to go about studying extreme environments on other planets. We will learn what to expect chemically, biologically, geologically, and physically on Earth, and we will use that information to compare and contrast to similar environments elsewhere in the universe. We can understand the similarities and explore the differences between our world and others, ultimately gaining a better understading of our place in the universe. |
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Created by:
Joanne
Emerson
Responsible NASA
Officials: Dr. Michael Meyer and Mr. David Lavery Last Updated: August 1, 2001 |