 Planet Earth, home, framed by the vast darkness of space. Look closer as a diverse dynamic landscape comes into view. Maintaining U.S. leadership in an increasingly complex competitive world is something this country's air and space program has been doing for over 30 years. NASA is aeronautics, developing the world's most advanced efficient aircraft and transferring technology to the American aerospace industry, a mission vital to this nation's economic competitiveness. Every time we venture into space, we return with something new. Lessons learned enhance our understanding of the universe and spur new products and businesses at home. Studying our planet from this unique vantage point reveals how it is changing over time. Space station freedom. A lunar base. A manned mission to Mars. These investments in our future will continue to bring benefits back to Earth. Where we can't go ourselves, robotic spacecraft serve as our eyes and ears, exploring other worlds, and in the process teaching us about our own. The more we know, the more intelligent will be the decisions we make regarding our planet's future. In the classrooms of today are the scientists and engineers of tomorrow and the first travelers to Mars. By continuing to push the limits of technology, the air and space program will ensure world leadership and provide a legacy of great achievement to inspire future generations.