This talk will review the back drop and key findings for the Exploration Systems Architecture Study, pursued under former NASA Administrator Mike Griffin, and the recent Review of US Human Spaceflight Plans Committee headed by Norm Augustine. These two key studies have had, and will continue to have, significant impact on the course of the US space program. Possible directions for US manned spaceflight will be discussed as related to these studies and other important developments, such as the emergence of significant new commercial space companies and capabilities.
