According to the official reports, advanced science and technology industries worldwide will have new opportunities in an overarching space policy unveiled by President Barack Obama as part of his strategy to boost investment and speed economic recovery.

The policy precedes an anticipated end of the space shuttle program this year and exploration of closer U. S.-Russian collaboration, including American use of the Russian Soyuz program for transport to the International Space Station.

It has been reported that a U. S.-led development of a commercial launcher is in the cards but may not materialize for another four years.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration will seek partnerships with the private sector to develop new technologies for human space travel, including commercial spaceflights to the ISS. NASA hopes to send people to new space destinations by 2025.

It has also been reported that NASA Administrator Charles Bolden, Jr. said the new policy backed the agency's historical role of researching and developing new launch systems but also required it to embrace new roles, including programs that created more jobs.

NASA will have its budget boosted by $6 billion over five years and the resulting expenditure on new programs will create 2,500 jobs in Florida by 2012. (With Inputs from Agencies)