A plan to use the Sun–Earth L2 libration point as the primary hub for future human space activities in the Earth's neighborhood is described. It is expected that the Sun–Earth L2 point will be the location of choice for a number of large astronomical observatories over the next 20 years. These observatories will probably require some level of servicing and/or repair by astronauts. To provide human access to the L2 point, the early development of a reusable vehicle called a Deep-Space Shuttle (DSS) is proposed. The DSS, based in low-Earth orbit, would be able to transport astronauts to and from the L2 point in about 35 days (including a 5-day stay time at L2). The Sun–Earth L2 point is also useful as a staging node for missions to near-Earth asteroids and Mars. For instance, a reusable interplanetary transfer vehicle (ITV) stationed at the L2 point could be used for the round-trip journey. The ITV would use lunar gravity-assists and a perigee Δ V maneuver to enter the desired interplanetary transfer trajectory. Just prior to the Earth-escape maneuver, a DSS “taxi” would transfer the crew to the ITV. A reverse procedure would be used to return the ITV to the libration point with the crew leaving the ITV just before the Earth-capture maneuver, and returning directly to Earth via an Apollo-style re-entry capsule. Using this technique, the L2-based ITV would save approximately 6.3 km/ s in Δ V cost compared with an ITV stationed in low-Earth orbit.