“We cannot guarantee success, but we can deserve it.” (*)
That was the message from Franco Ongaro, head of the
European Space Agency’s Aurora Programme Office, at the
conclusion of a special industry workshop held during
early February.

Present at the meeting, held at ESA’s European Space
Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC), based in the
Netherlands, were some 80 representatives of European
and Canadian companies who were keen to learn more
about the opportunities and challenges presented by
the pioneering Aurora programme.

“Our second Aurora Industry Day was very well received,”
said Franco Ongaro. “We were delighted to see that so
many companies and research organisations are interested
in our robotic exploration missions and in the
development of exploration-related technologies.”

“Industrial studies for the four approved missions of
the Aurora programme will begin in the next few weeks,
and the participants from industry appreciated the
opportunity to learn about the overall Aurora programme
and to be informed of the way it is rapidly evolving,”
he added.

“They also expressed their appreciation with respect to
the programme’s well defined goals and strategy, both
short and long term, as well as its fully integrated
technology plan. This information is important in
helping companies to decide how they can best
contribute to this exciting vision of the future.”

The meeting began with an overview of the Aurora
programme, which is currently in a three-year
preparatory period. When this initial stage is completed
in late 2004, programme officials intend to produce a
long term plan for the robotic and human exploration of
the solar system, together with an updated programme
proposal for the period 2005-2009.

This was followed by a number of presentations
summarising the current status of Aurora activities.
Alain Pradier, Aurora Technology Manager explained the
need to develop new, innovative technologies to support
the initial robotic missions and pave the way for the
human exploration programme. In particular, the agency
is seeking generic technologies that may be used or
adapted for multiple missions over the next few decades.

“It is our intention to increase safety, reduce cost
and improve performance,” explained Pradier.

Considerable emphasis was also placed on the results
of preliminary ESA studies to define the first four
robotic missions. These include two major Flagship
missions (ExoMars and Mars Sample Return), and two
smaller Arrow missions (Mars Aerocapture Demonstrator
and the Earth Re-entry Vehicle).

These robotic and demonstrator missions, along with
a coherent technology development plan and ground
simulation work, will pave the way for more ambitious
missions and eventually a human expedition to Mars.

ExoMars is currently expected to launch in 2009. After
studying numerous options, ESA experts envisage sending
two separate spacecraft to Mars during the same launch
window. The first of these would include an orbiter and
a descent module that would deliver a large rover to
the surface of the Red Planet. A second ‘carrier’
spacecraft would deliver four Netlander stations to
investigate the Martian environment.

Testing of rendezvous and docking techniques on the
ExoMars mission will prepare the way for the second
Flagship mission, a Mars Sample Return that will drill
for Martian soil and rock for analysis back on Earth.
Launch is expected to take place in 2011.

In-flight demonstrations of some critical technologies
required for these groundbreaking expeditions will be
undertaken during the two preceding Arrow missions.
The Earth re-entry vehicle, to be launched in 2007,
will be designed to survive a high speed re-entry
into the Earth’s atmosphere, while the 2009 Mars
aerocapture demonstrator will validate a lightweight,
inflatable heatshield that can be deployed for braking
into orbit.

Invitations to Tender for phase A or pre-phase A studies
of these precursor missions will be issued in the next
few weeks, opening the way for industry to participate
in the future exploration of the solar system. Two
parallel contracts for each mission are foreseen. In
the case of the two Arrow technology demonstration
missions, one of the contracts for the pre-phase A
studies will be available for smaller, non-prime
contractors.

Approved by the ESA Council in the autumn of 2001,
Aurora is intended to formulate and implement a European
long-term plan for the robotic and human exploration of
the solar system. The ultimate objective is to send a
human expedition to Mars by 2030.

(*) Originally quoted by George Washington, who later
became the first President of the United States.

Related news

* Calling all students and universities
http://www.esa.int/export/esaCP/SEM5KU1A6BD_Expanding_0.html

* Green light for Aurora Flagship missions
http://www.esa.int/export/esaCP/SEM8QJ1A6BD_Expanding_0.html

* Technologies on the road to Mars
http://www.esa.int/export/esaCP/ESASTY7708D_index_0.html

* Liftoff for Aurora: Europe’s first steps to Mars, the
Moon and beyond
http://www.esa.int/export/esaCP/ESAONKTHN6D_Expanding_0.html

Related links

* ESA Industry Portal
http://industry.esa.int/

* Aurora Programme
http://www.esa.int/export/esaMI/Aurora/index.html

IMAGE CAPTIONS:
[http://www.esa.int/export/esaCP/SEM6OC2A6BD_Benefits_1.html]
Artist’s view of the ExoMars descent module carrying the rover.
Credits: ESA