continue to carry out, in partnership with academia, industry, and international partners, a balanced program of science, aeronautics, space technology, human exploration, and educational activities. (2) The Nation’s investments in civil space research, technology, and development have and will continue to contribute significantly to the Nation’s innovation capacity and economic strength, and provide applications and benefits that improve the lives of United States citizens and society. (3) International cooperation and collaboration strengthen the Nation’s science, aeronautics, and human exploration programs and unify partner nations in the peaceful uses of outer space. (4) NASA’s leadership in aeronautics has contributed greatly to the Nation’s strength in civil and commercial aviation and should remain a priority as innovative technologies and aviation concepts offer the potential to transform the future of aviation and support the Nation’s economic growth. (5) NASA makes essential contributions to our understanding of the global challenge of climate change through its collection of space-based Earth science data, research on global, integrated Earth system science, and development of models that advance our understanding of the climate system and the natural and human impacts on it. (6) The Nation’s human space exploration goal should be to send humans to the surface of Mars. (7) Reducing the risk and demonstrating the capabilities and operations needed to support a human mission to Mars may require human exploration of the cis-lunar vicinity and lunar surface. (8) A constancy of purpose, including clear and consistent goals and objectives, is essential for making effective progress on the Nation’s science, aeronautics, space technology, and human exploration programs and for attracting and keeping the Nation’s best, brightest, and most capable workforce. (9) Clearly defined roles, responsibilities, and accountability provides transparency in the implementation of the Nation’s civil space goals and