WASHINGTON NASA managers have rejected a destination-driven approach to space exploration once and for all in favor of a new regime that views space exploration as a steady quest driven by science goals. The “stepping-stone” approach is driving the Mars-or-bust crowd nuts, but agency planners insist it is the safest and most efficient way to put humans on the surface of other celestial bodies.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER The shuttle STS-113 astronauts will return to Earth this week after installing the 14-ton P1 systems truss on the International Space Station and exchanging the U.S./Russian Expedition 6 team with the Expedition 5 crew who will return to Earth on Endeavour after 182 days in space.

NEW RIVER, N.C. The U.S. Marine Corps is beginning to lay the groundwork to rebuild its first V-22 unit after two years of interrupted flight operations following two fatal accidents in 2000. With the revised V-22 flight test program progressing, the Marine Corps training unit (VMMT-204), which will be the first to fly the tiltrotor, is starting to grow again and has begun readying personnel in the hope of resuming flight operations next year.

LONDON PARIS GENOA NATO attempts to collectively acquire a standoff airborne surveillance capability were nudged forward in Prague, but fell far short of a ringing endorsement of the program. Airlift and air-tanker needs also received a welcome fillip from the summit.

WASHINGTON After achieving the first shoot-down of a ballistic missile during its ascent phase using a ship-based missile defense interceptor, the Pentagon is now ready to attack more stressing targets as it tries to validate the system’s performance on the way to an emergency operational capability in 2004.

CAPE CANAVERAL The world’s largest commercial communications spacecraft, the 11,600-lb. European Astra 1K, was left stranded in a useless orbit last week following the failure of its ILS/Russian Proton K upper stage shortly after launch from Russia’s Baikonur Cosmodrome.

NEW DELHI The Asia-Pacific region’s most openly kept airline secret is officially out. Qantas Airways intends to buy a 22.5% share in Air New Zealand, injecting $550 million into the cash-starved carrier, and the two will begin a wide-ranging strategic alliance.