The Solar system exploration Program of Programs (SSEPP)
- Paper number
IAC-05-E3.2.08
- Author
Mr. Jean-Jacques Favier, Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales (CNES), France
- Year
2005
- Abstract
A new cooperation model for exploration ? The exploration of the solar system is obviously an ambitious international endeavour. It is mostly driven by the proper human craving for increasing knowledge and for setting up an “inspiration” program able to attract young generations. An exploration program supposes a long term involvement of the different parties on decades. This requires continuity of the political support leading to its sustainability. International commitments acceptable by all partners should be found. This is why it is important to set up an international dimension to exploration. Therefore CNES considers that the exploration program should take advantage of any possible national and regional contribution in a well structured way. For instance, Europe through ESA, should be able to propose a well defined and harmonized vision, ambitious but reasonable, meaning focused and allowing some degree of "autonomy of decision". Autonomy can be understood along different options : 1."Autonomy at any time": this supposes that, whatever the time when the cooperation is stopped, for any reason, if it does, any partner can benefit from the initial investment in a back up mission, possibly very different from the initial one, but keeping a high level of interest. Within this option, it is not acceptable to have a single partner mastering a key segment (as the shuttle is for ISS) whatever its capabilities and power. It is too much risky for the programme. Alternate solutions should exist in parallel able to back up the option should have been considered from the very beginning of the programme. 2."Shared autonomy": means that a partner is welcome (could be US, Russia, Europe or others), but every party accepts to be "equal partner" in the considered segment of programme. In case of failure of the partner, another one can jump in and take its place. 3.Finally, "Autonomy at a given time": means that the technologies to be provided by the partner(s) were identified from the beginning, as well as the way to get in their possession and the time needed to achieve them. It is admitted in this case to delay the programme from a period of time, known in advance, in case of partner failure. The US have created through a strong political decision at the highest level a new opportunity to assemble the participation of many institutional and industrial actors. However, the synergy created should not be wasted : a new model of international cooperation has to be found. In this paper, we discuss the terms of reference of such a model, based on the principle of "Program of Programmes" as proposed by the Earth Observation Community for GEO, allowing the partners to keep their autonomy of decision and to contribute at their own pace.
- Abstract document