The adventure of space enterprise in the 21st century

For over a half century, human activities in outer space have increased, but the high point was the Apollo Moon landings from 1969 – 1972. Now the United States has set forth a national space policy to return permanently to the lunar surface by 2020, and NASA is engaged in strategic planning to accomplish that goal. Furthermore, Europe, Russia, Japan, China and India are undertaking missions to the Moon and its vicinity. All this will lead to using our natural satellite as a space station and launch pad to Mars and other celestial bodies.