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European Space Agency

Press Release

Calling all students and universities
=====================================
18 February 2003

The European Space Agency (ESA) is looking for innovative, imaginative 
ideas, concepts and technologies to enhance Europe's long- term Aurora 
programme for the robotic and human exploration of the Moon, Mars and 
asteroids. 

Teams of graduate and undergraduate students from universities in
Europe and Canada are invited to participate in this exciting
programme by entering the Aurora Student Design Competition. Student
teams will be expected to work with their professors and supervisors
to produce a project relevant to the Aurora programme.

Each University, through its student team, can submit one project in
each of the following five categories:


Flagship class missions
-----------------------
These are major missions intended to achieve important technological
and scientific goals within the framework of the Aurora programme,
such as carrying out a soft landing on a planetary surface or
returning a sample from another object back to Earth. They may involve 
several independent elements, such as orbiters, sub-satellites, 
landers, rovers, penetrators, airborne robots, planetary ascent 
vehicles or re-entry vehicles.


Arrow class missions
--------------------
These are cost-capped, rapid development missions to demonstrate new
technologies or mission approaches (e.g. in preparation for more
complex Flagship class missions). They might provide engineering or
scientific data needed to constrain later mission designs. Arrow
missions will also include concepts that exploit opportunities for
'hitchhiker' payloads to be carried on already planned European or
international missions.


Human missions
--------------
Crewed missions beyond Low Earth Orbit, i.e. to beyond the
International Space Station. The mission concepts might involve
exploration of the Moon, Mars or asteroids, setting up of
exploration-enabling space infrastructure or preparation/training
activities required for later, more ambitious missions.


Surface robotics
----------------
Robotic systems enabling mobility or interaction of a landed or
airborne spacecraft with the surrounding environment. They may include 
power generation, improved survivability, extension of lifetime and 
exploration capabilities, alternative locomotion systems, novel 
resources, such as energy or fuel, management approaches, alternative 
architecture, non-conventional materials etc.


New enabling technologies
-------------------------
Innovative technological concepts to enable or facilitate robotic and
human exploration of the Moon, Mars and asteroids. Some of the key
technology areas include power generation, propulsion, atmospheric
entry, descent and landing, and communications.

Each team selected to represent its university in the contest is
invited to send in an outline of its proposal by 9 March 2003,
together with a supporting letter from the university.

Judging of the entries in each category, by a panel of experts, will
take place at a special event scheduled to take place in September
2003.


Competition prizes

ESA, together with other sponsors and partners, will be offering
prizes for the best projects in each category. The full list of prizes 
will be announced at a later date. However, first prize for each 
category is likely to be one of those detailed below or another of 
comparable importance:

* a professional visit to the European space centres, including
  the European spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana;
* attendance at the IAF Congress in Vancouver, Canada, at ESA's
  expense;
* sponsorship to present the winning project at suitable
  conferences and symposia.

Important dates 
9 March 2003 - deadline to submit outline of the design project 
14 March 2003 - notification of the selected teams 
30 July 2003 - deadline to submit the final project 
8 - 9 September 2003 - Aurora Academia Workshop, project
presentations and prize award The rules for the competition can be
seen at: Student design content 

Please send project outlines and any queries to: 
student4aurora{at}esa.int

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