The Ares Rocket Launches

Despite spending $445 million on the test flight, experts say that NASA needs another $3 billion a year to pursue meaningful human space exploration beyond low Earth orbit.
Matt Stroshane / Getty

Difficulties
Despite spending $445 million on the test flight, experts say that NASA needs another
$3 billion a year to pursue meaningful human space exploration beyond low Earth orbit. Even NASA's most ardent supporters in Congress acknowledge that additional funding will be hard to come by.

share

Get the Latest Photos from Time.com
Get TIME photos and pictures of the week delivered directly to your inbox.