Timeline of space exploration 1990-

George H.W. Bush signs Launch Services Purchase Act. This bill required NASA to purchase launch services from commercial providers when needed.

Hubble Space Telescope launched into space.

First flight of Space Shuttle Endeavor on mission STS-49.

Mars Pathfinder lands on Mars. The Sojourner rover departed the lander, and ended communications with Earth on September 27, 1997.

First module of International Space Station (ISS) lauched into space.

Blue Origin founded by Jeff Bezos. Blue Origin is one of the main aerospace companies today. Its goal is to “contribut[e] to an enduring human presence in space”.

SpaceX founded by Elon Musk. SpaceX is also one of the leading aerospace companies today. Its main goal is to enable humans to live on other planets.

Virgin Galactic founded by Richard Branson and Burt Rutan. Virgin Galactic is also one of the leading aerospace companies today, with the goal of “democratizing access to space for the benefit of life on earth”.

President George W. Bush announces “Vision for Space Exploration (VSE)” plan. It included plans for a sustained human and robotic space program, return to the moon by 2020 and explore the solar system, and promote participation in space exploration internationally and commercially. The VSE was later replaced by the Space Policy of the Obama Administration.

Commercial Space Launch Amendments Act of 2004 becomes law. This required NASA and the FAA to legalize private space flight, essentially beginning privatized space exploration.

New Horizons spacecraft launched (unmanned). It was to explore Pluto.

President Barack Obama announces the space policy of his administration. It replaced the Vision for Space Exploration. Many of the goals of the space policy of the Obama Administration were enacted by the NASA Authorization Act of 2010. They included increasing funding to NASA, and completing designs for a new heavy-lift launch vehicle.

Discovery, Endeavor, and Atlantis space shuttles retire; 30-year Space Shuttle program closes. Following the Columbia disaster in 2003, where the shuttle disintegrated upon re-entrance, NASA’s Investigation Board concluded that “it is in the nationʼs interest to replace the Shuttle as soon as possible as the primary means for transporting humans to and from Earth orbit.” In 2004, President George W. Bush said in his speech Vision for Space Exploration: “we will return the Space Shuttle to flight as soon as possible, consistent with safety concerns and the recommendations of the Columbia Accident Investigation Board. The Shuttle's chief purpose over the next several years will be to help finish assembly of the International Space Station. In 2010, the Space Shuttle -- after nearly 30 years of duty -- will be retired from service.” NASA followed this plan, though retirement was ultimately in 2011 instead of 2010.