"NASA has been making steady progress toward realizing the president's goal of deep space exploration, while doing so in a more affordable way, " NASA Deputy Administrator Lori Garver said.

ENGADGET: NASA's Space Launch System to rocket into deep space, unravel the universe's mysteries (video)

Deep space exploration is where NASA belongs.

WSJ: NASA's SLS Is a Key to Deep Space �� Letters to the Editor

But with many laboratory tasks being automated, there should also be scope to begin new activities, and the partners believe one key role for the ISS going forward will be as a development platform for deep space exploration.

BBC: Manned flight around Moon considered

Today's commercial rockets can lift only about 10 tons into space, far short of what is needed to enable deep-space exploration returning to the Moon, and later venturing on to Mars the things that are and should be NASA's core mission.

WSJ: NASA's SLS Is a Key to Deep Space �� Letters to the Editor

"Robotics is playing a key role aboard the International Space Station and will be critical in our future human exploration of deep space, " said Michael Gazarik, director of NASA's Space Technology Program.

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Europe is looking to play a significant role in America's plans for the manned exploration of deep space.

BBC: European tech could propel Nasa's Orion capsule