Preparing Potential European Roles in the International Exploration of the Moon within the European Exploration Envelope Programme

Paper number

IAC-18,A3,1,10,x47675

Author

Dr. Markus Landgraf, The Netherlands, European Space Agency (ESA)

Coauthor

Mr. Rogier Schonenborg, The Netherlands, Schonenborg Space Engineering BV

Coauthor

Ms. Shahrzad Hosseini, The Netherlands, Delft University of Technology (TU Delft)

Coauthor

Mr. Max Braun, The Netherlands, ESA

Coauthor

Dr. Guillermo Ortega, The Netherlands, European Space Agency (ESA)

Coauthor

Mrs. Jessica Grenouilleau, The Netherlands

Coauthor

Dr. William Carey, The Netherlands, European Space Agency (ESA)

Coauthor

Mr. Kim Nergaard, Germany, European Space Agency (ESA)

Coauthor

Dr. Stefaan De Mey, The Netherlands, European Space Agency (ESA)

Coauthor

Dr. Hiesinger Harald, Germany, Westfalische Wilhelms-Universitat

Coauthor

Mr. Martin Picard, Canada, Canadian Space Agency

Coauthor

Dr. Hirotaka Sawada, Japan, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)

Coauthor

Mr. Naoki Satoh, Japan, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)

Coauthor

Mr. Toshiki Morito, Japan, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)

Coauthor

Mr. Bernhard Hufenbach, The Netherlands, European Space Agency (ESA)

Coauthor

Mrs. Antonella Ferri, Italy, Thales Alenia Space Italia (TAS-I)

Coauthor

Mr. Robert Buchwald, Germany, Airbus DS GmbH

Coauthor

Mr. Bernardo Patti, The Netherlands, European Space Agency (ESA)

Year

2018

Abstract

The GER\footnote{The Global Exploration Roadmap, published by the International Space Exploration Coordination Group, January 2018}  published in January 2018 gives us an indication about how space exploration could be implemented by the international agencies. In it, the agencies of the ISECG have conceptualised a mission scenario of returning humans to the Moon within the next 10 to 12 years\footnote{R. J. Whitley et al., Global Exploration Roadmap Derived Concept for Human Exploration of the Moon, GLEX?2017?3.2A.1} . The architecture supports a crew of four astronauts for five missions of 42 days of exploration on the lunar surface. The target regions represent previously unexplored geology on the polar far side of the Moon\footnote{A Global Lunar Landing Site Study to Provide the Scientific Context for Exploration of the Moon, David A. Kring and Daniel D. Durda (eds.) Lunar and Planetary Institute Contribution No. 1694, 2012}.
The focus of the content of the lunar exploration cornerstone of the European Exploration Envelope Programme\footnote{D. Parker et al., The European Space Exploration Envelope Programme: ESA's Answer to an Inclusive Exploration Vision For a United Space In Europe, IAC-17,B3,1,4,x40748, 2017 }  is the development of a demonstrator mission as an ESA-led contribution, in the frame of an international agreement with CSA and JAXA and in coordination with NASA. The demonstrator mission adds an element of scientific utilisation to the objectives of the Lunar Orbital Platform -- Gateway (LOP-G), and prepares of the return of humans to the Moon's surface. This robotic demonstrator, tentatively named Human-Enabled Robotic Architecture and Capability for Lunar Exploration and Science \footnote{M. Landgraf et al., LEAG Annual Meeting, Abstract 1863, 2015}\footnote{D. Kring, Exploring The Solar System With An Integrated Human And Robotic Deep Space Program, Lunar Planetary Institute, Planetary Science Vision 2050 Workshop 2017}\footnote{V. Hipkin et al., Canadian Space Agency Activities And Science Priorities Related To Lunar Surface Exploration, LEAG Annual Meeting, Abstract 5054, 2017} (HERACLES), provides benefits of programmatic readiness to develop human vehicles, as well as the return of up to $15\:{\rm  kg}$  of lunar samples from unexplored regions via the LOP-G and Orion.
The HERACLES mission will certainly evolve with its context, but the basic scenario is sufficiently stable to take the next steps in its definition. Potential European roles in e.g. a future reusable human ascent and command module or other elements of the architecture will have to be informed by the evolution of the global context.

Abstract document

IAC-18,A3,1,10,x47675.brief.pdf

Manuscript document

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