Sean O'Keefe Archives

This is an artist's concept (by Pat Rawlings) from 1989 depicting a possible scene when the first human travelers might walk on the surface of Mars. The artwork was part of a NASA new initiatives study which surveyed possible future manned planetary expeditionary activity.-- Pat Rawlings/NASA

Analog Studies, Artemis & Lunar Exploration, Away Teams & Field Reports, Caves, Craters, Mountains, Subsurface, Lava Tubes, Education and Outreach, Exploration Gear & Tech, Missions & Hardware, Polar / Alpine Expeditions, Reports, Roadmaps, & Plans

Expeditionary Astronauts Wanted

by Keith CowingMay 23, 2019January 31, 2024

As NASA returns humans to the Moon and then heads out to Mars, a new type of astronaut will be required to explore these worlds. Let’s called them “expeditionary astronauts”.

In 1992 in celebration of the 500th anniversary of Columbus’ first voyage to the Americas, replicas of the Nina, Pinta and Santa Maria were constructed, crewed by volunteers and sailed across the Atlantic to reenact this incredible voyage of exploration. In June 1992 the replica Nina, Pinta and Santa Maria passed the launch pads of the Kennedy Space Center. -- NASA

Press Release

NASA Administrator’s Symposium Examines Exploration and Risk

by Keith CowingSeptember 22, 2004June 27, 2026

Have you ever been into space, in a research submarine, or been a part of a remote polar research base? Whether it’s exploring the depths of our oceans or reaching […]