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European Space Agency

Press Release

Technologies on the road to Mars
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16 December 2002

The hatch to the airlock opens, revealing a human figure encased in a
white pressure suit. After a brief glance at the strange surroundings
through his bowl-shaped visor, the ambassador from Earth gingerly
steps outside and begins to descend the ladder. 

Within minutes, the visitor from another world reaches the bottom rung 
and prepares for a 'giant leap' - humanity's first imprint in the 
pristine, orange sands that stretch as far as the eye can see.  The 
human exploration of Mars has begun.

Science fiction? At present, the answer is yes, but this fictional
scenario may become a reality by the year 2030. In order to achieve
such an ambitious target, ESA has introduced its new Aurora programme. 
This will eventually enable European astronauts to venture beyond 
Earth's orbit to the Moon, Mars and beyond. 

One of the first requirements of Aurora has been to identify the key
technologies that will be needed to send robots, and then people, to
explore the solar system. This important task was undertaken by a team 
of ESA experts, known as the Technical Support Team; the 11
'technology streams' identified for development over the next few
decades are shown in the following table.

1  automated guidance, navigation and control and mission analysis
2  micro-avionics 
3  data processing and communication technologies 
4  entry, descent and landing 
5  crew aspects of exploration 
6  in situ resources utilisation 
7  power 
8  propulsion 
9  robotics and mechanisms 
10 structures, materials and thermal control 
11 instrumentation 
 
This was followed on 12 February 2002 by a Call for Exploration
Technology Proposals, was sent to small and medium-sized companies
and research and development institutes across Europe and Canada. The
major European prime contractors - Astrium, Alcatel and Alenia
Spazio - were already pursuing exploration studies for Aurora. 

"We were 'fishing' for really new ideas and processes," said Dietrich
Vennemann, human missions manager for the Aurora programme. "We were
also aiming to involve new companies that would not normally take part 
in space activities. We wanted them to tell us about their new ideas, 
to explain their potential and then suggest what steps would be 
required to take their proposals further."

The response was astounding with a total of 119 proposals submitted.
Of these, 36 were awarded a contract, 45 were put 'on hold' and six
were transferred as candidates for other ESA programmes.

The final presentations by most of the 36 successful applicants were
made during a meeting at the European Space Research and Technology
Centre (ESTEC) in the Netherlands from 9 to 11 December.

Since each of the 11 technology streams was represented at the
meeting, the presentations covered a wide range of topics including: 

* the design of an ultrasonic drill to obtain rock cores
* helium-filled balloons to explore the atmosphere and surface of
  Mars
* inflatable landing systems 
* automated spacecraft rendezvous 
* options for a Martian ascent vehicle 
* regenerative solid oxide fuel cells 
* an onboard intelligent payload planner 
* space food preparation 
* plasma thrusters 
* biomedical technologies for human Mars missions 
* dust analysers for Mars 

In the coming weeks, ESA technical officers will make their
recommendations as to which proposals offer the most promise for
further study and development.

Meanwhile, further study contracts are currently being issued in the
context of generic technologies to tackle major problems affecting
every space mission under the Aurora programme, e.g. guidance,
navigation and control, and radiation exposure. 

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