European Options
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Posted
by Andy Nativi at
2/6/2010 11:07 AM CST
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KENNEDY SPACE CENTER -- The European Space Agency is studying a mission to send a lander, perhaps with a rover attached, to the Moon by 2020.
Sinonetta di Pippo, ESA's director of human spaceflight, told reporters here to cover the launch of the final pieces of European hardware for the International Space Station, that the "Eur 500" project has progressed through completion of Phase A development and approval of Phase B1 is underway. Targeted at the Moon's South Polar region, the mission would be launched on a Russian Soyuz rocket.
It would be a precursor mission, aimed at developing and demonstrating what ESA considers key technologies, including precision-landing gear. Strongly supported by Germany in particular, the mission also might test surface mobility by deploying a small rover from the lander.
The work comes as ESA continues to review its continued support of the ISS. Di Pippo said the Obama administration decision to extend U.S. funding of the ISS to 2020 was very welcome news, creating an opportunity for increased European utilization of the station, with a stable astronaut presence among the full-size crew of six.
The future of the ISS and its full exploitation will be discussed during an upcoming international conference in Berlin. Meanwhile, NASA has asked ESA to confirm that the ISS hardware it has built is technically safe to operate to 2020 and beyond.
European engineers consider the pressurized nodes built in Italy, and other ESA hardware fit to work until 2025 and in some cases 2028. Di PIppo said ESA's goal is to have a European astronaut on the ISS for at least six months every year for the next 10 years.
Slots already have been secured for 2010, when astronaut Paolo Nespoli will join Expedition 26-27 in December, and for 2011. Europe doesn't have a slot in 2012 for now, but will return from 2013-15. Another two slots have been booked for the 2016-2020 timeframe.
ESA will also continue to provide logistics support for the station, with plans to launch its second Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) on Nov. 30. Contracts to build three more ATVs are in the works, but have not been signed yet.
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