NASA plans to return humans to the moon by 2020 , build outpost by 2025 . Constellation Program 's new fleet of space vehicles will replace the space shuttles . It may also surprise a generation accustomed to watching the shuttles carry both humans and heavy cargo , like the Hubble Space Telescope , into space . Critics say NASA should leave the moon and set its sights directly on Mars . Independent panel is reviewing plans and looking at ` ` potential . ''
NASA plans to return humans to the moon by 2020 , build outpost by 2025 . Constellation Program 's new fleet of space vehicles will replace the space shuttles . Critics say NASA should leave the moon and set its sights directly on Mars . Independent panel is reviewing plans and looking at ` ` potential . ''