What is Deep Space?

Nasa's bold new mission is to design and build the capabilities to extend human existence to deep space

Defining Deep Space

“Deep space” is the vast, unexplored region of space that extends beyond our Moon, to Mars and across our solar system.

Four Regions Between Earth and Deep Space:

In order to understand deep space, we must first establish where we are, and where we have been. We are here: (United States, Earth)

Between Earth and its moon (a distance of 238,900 miles or 344,400 km), there are four regions that the U.S. Space Program has already been to.

Four Regions Between Earth and Deep Space:

In order to understand deep space, we must first establish where we are, and where we have been. We are here: (United States, Earth)

Between Earth and its moon (a distance of 238,900 miles or 344,400 km), there are four regions that the U.S. Space Program has already been to.

Deep space: Beyond the Moon

Deep space is the region of space beyond the dark side of our Moon, including Lagrange 2, or L2, (274,000 miles from Earth) and asteroids. The nearest asteroid to Earth is 3,100,000 miles away. Exploring the Moon’s far side from the Earth-Moon L2 point and venturing to asteroids will allow astronauts to conduct scientific research and explore long-duration operations in deep space.

Exploring Mars and its Moons

Studying the Mars atmosphere, its surface and its moons will increase our knowledge and understanding of Earth and the rest of the solar system. Mars is 34,600,000 miles from Earth.

Beyond

By being willing to go where no one else can or will, we will continue to provide U.S. leadership is space. Deep space exploration will advance human existence and discovery that will take us farther into space than ever before.