The SEA's primary objective is to support the refocus of NASA's human space activities toward exploration beyond low Earth orbit (LEO).
[1] The initial effort, officially known as the Vision for Space Exploration (VSE), includes plans for return missions to the Moon with astronauts, and with the intent of establishing a permanent lunar base.
[3] Many signed petitions from National Space Society (NSS) members were presented during the congressional visits.
[citation needed] A second campaign was held on May 17 through May 19, 2005, in conjunction with the NSS's annual International Space Development Conference.
In a press release issued on October 15, 2005, the Space Frontier Foundation announced its intent to leave the Alliance, citing "philosophical differences" and an unwillingness to become "a fan club for a status quo that has failed so miserably time after time in our nation's quest for space.