Flexible path

The flexible path was a set of destinations for further manned space exploration in the inner Solar System proposed in the Review of United States Human Space Flight Plans Committee of 2009 and was envisioned as alternative to the Moon-first and Mars-first approaches.

In 2010 president Barack Obama announced change in the space policy from the Moon-first approach (adopted previously under the Vision for Space Exploration and Constellation program) to a variety of destinations resembling the flexible path approach.

Outer space exploration destinations envisioned in US space policy

Bold designates missions beyond Cis-lunar space.
Legend:   [flyby] — [orbit] — [landing]

Current as of 2010:

Flexible path beyond Low Earth Orbit:

The list is ordered according to the delta-v required by the mission.

References

  1. HSF Final Report: Seeking a Human Spaceflight Program Worthy of a Great Nation, October 2009, Review of U.S. Human Spaceflight Plans Committee, p. 40.
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