Exploration system technology aspects in the exploration programme of the European Space Agency

Within its exploration programme Aurora, the European Space Agency is preparing activities for human exploration of the solar system to be implemented in the next 5-10 years. These activities will be based on a long-term plan for exploration with a horizon of 30 years. As ESA is convinced that exploration can only be done via international collaboration, this long-term plan will be harmonised with the intentions of other potential international partners. Consequently, the Agency will concentrate in the near future mainly on activities which it wishes to introduce into an international partnership for exploration. The near term programme will contain robotic activities towards Mars i.e. the implementation of one mission and the preparation of subsequent missions. This will be accompanied by technology developments to support future missions. Concerning human exploration activities ESA is preparing a role for the return to the Moon, which it sees as a way-station on the route to Mars. Potential contributions will leverage on past investments. Capabilities considered in this context are habitation, life support and assembly in orbit.