The Aurora Programme for the Human Exploration of the Solar System

Abstract

The Aurora Programme of the European Space Agency is conceived to prepare the human exploration of the Solar System by building up the necessary know-how and capabilities stepwise through a series of robotic missions. The programme is a so-called envelope programme, which proceeds in five-year periods. Its main components are the long-term plan, robotic missions and technology. The long-term plan describes the long-term goal of the programme, which is the human exploration of Mars, and it constitutes the framework for the near-term planning of robotic missions. Within the framework of the Long Term Plan a sequence of robotic missions is planned such that the know how and the capabilities necessary for a first human mission are gradually build up. A still more detailed plan is being prepared for the following five-year period of the programme in which the first missions will be realised. Presently Phase A studies are carried out for an exobiology mission to Mars and a Mars sample return mission. Especially in support of the sample return two smaller technological missions are under study: a re-entry capsule demonstrator mission and an aerocapture demonstrator mission. In parallel to the Long Term Plan and the robotic mission studies, technology work is undertaken. It builds on the technology available in Europe and on the one hand aims at preparing for the capabilities in the long term and on the other hands supports the development of the short-term robotic missions. INTRODUCTION Certainly we will see a manned mission to Mars in the first half of this century. Very likely this will be an international endeavour led by the nations, which will have developed the needed technologies and expertise to master the multitude of challenges posed by the landing of humans on Mars and returning safely to the Earth. Europe has been involved in space missions since 30 years with many successes and key contributions to international projects. The experience ranges from the participation in the International Space Station and the knowledge acquired by the European Astronauts via prime scientific missions to the recently launched Mars Express with its Beagle 2 Lander. All these examples show the wide range of competence that Europe, through the European Space Agency (ESA) and its Member States, has gained by its investment in space activities. Reaching Mars is a dangerous undertaking as the low rate of success of robotic missions clearly demonstrates. Less than 1/3 of the unmanned missions launched to Mars until now have achieved their objectives. This shows clearly that much is left to be done before one can engage on sending humans to explore the Universe and land on Mars. The Aurora Programme of the European Space Agency aims at preparing Europe for this major challenge so that it can play a significant role in a future international Mars Programme. In order to achieve this goal a Long Term Plan is being prepared and will be implemented subsequently. This plan describes the necessary activities for robotic and human exploration of the Solar System. It addresses key capabilities and knowledge to be acquired and proposes first robotic and then human missions, which will demonstrate the capabilities and help to acquire the necessary knowledge. PROGRAMMATICS Initially, in order to give the future programme a sound scientific basis and appealing objectives, a Call for Ideas for Planetary Exploration was published in 2001 addressing scientists in Europe and Canada. The response of scientists showed a great interest in the exploration of Mars and came from almost all ESA Member States and Canada. Some 300 proposals were received. A high-level panel of scientists assessed them and the results were presented at a dedicated workshop in ESTEC in April 2001. This then gave rise to the preparation of a programme proposal to the ESA Member States. The Aurora Programme was approved as an Optional Programme at the Edinburgh Council at Ministerial Level in