ESA - Robotic Exploration of Mars - Publications Archive
Publication archive
Publication archive
The International Journal of Astrobiology is a peer-reviewed forum, covering cosmic prebiotic chemistry, planetary evolution, the search for planetary systems and habitable zones, extremophile biology and experimental simulation of extraterrestrial environments, Mars as an abode of life, life detection in our solar system and beyond, the search for extraterrestrial intelligence, the history of the science of astrobiology, as well as societal and educational aspects of astrobiology.
This special issue is devoted to 'Astrobiology field research in Moon/Mars analogue environments' (Editors: BH Foing, C. Stoker, P. Ehrenfreund).
Abstract: Extreme environments on Earth often provide similar terrain conditions to landing/operation sites on the Moon and Mars. Several field campaigns (EuroGeoMars2009 and DOMMEX/ILEWG EuroMoonMars from November 2009 to March 2010) were conducted at the Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS) in Utah. Some of the key astrobiology results are presented in this special issue on 'Astrobiology field research in Moon/Mars analogue environments' relevant to investigate the link between geology, minerals, organics and biota. Preliminary results from a multidisciplinary field campaign at Rio Tinto in Spain are presented.
The first European workshop on Landing Sites for Exploration Missions took place at the Lorentz Centre, in Leiden (NL) on 17-21 January 2011. The workshop was organised in the framework of a Europlanet JRA1 (Support to Future Missions) grant. It gathered more than sixty participants from the space science and engineering communities in Europe, the United States, and Asia.
The workshop's programme combined a series of lectures presenting different perspectives on landing sites with hands-on sessions involving small, interdisciplinary teams focussing on specific mission scenarios. The goal of the workshop was to bring together the international landing site community to start preparing for landing site selection and characterisation activities serving missions having a European component. The week was concluded with a conference at the European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC), focussing on the international programmatic context of robotic exploration missions.
This report presents the workshop's outcome, recommendations, and detailed results of the various mission scenarios that were studied: three Mars mission scenarios (2016 Entry, Descent and Landing Demonstrator Module, 2018 Dual Rover Mission, and Mars Sample Return); a mission to a small solar system body, such as Phobos or an asteroid; and a Google Lunar X-prize mission to consider landing site selection approaches for commercial missions).
Document reference number: EXM-MS-PL-ESA-00002
This Science Management Plan specifies in detail the scientific management of the ExoMars programme, focusing on the way the payload is selected and implemented for the various mission elements, as a joint effort of the scientific community, the funding organisations, ESA and NASA. The modes of participation in the programme are addressed, as well as the responsibility of the ESA Project Manager, Project Scientist, and their teams vis-à-vis the implementation and exploitation of the instruments. Finally, the data rights of the involved scientists and their responsibilities for the public outreach activities are explained, as is the data analysis support policy. Once approved, the ExoMars Science Management Plan will become applicable to all parties wishing to participate in the ExoMars programme. Whenever mission or programmatic developments justify a revision, the ExoMars Science Management Plan will be updated and resubmitted, to the Advisory Bodies for endorsement and to the Programme Board (PB-HME) for approval.
Document: EXM-OM-IPA-ESA-00001
The Experiment Proposal Information Package (E-PIP) defines all technical, managerial and programmatic data that are relevant in the context of the Announcement of Opportunity (AO) for the scientific instruments on the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter Spacecraft. It does not yet contain formally agreed requirements, however all stated parameter values and other data reflect the currently agreed baseline for the spacecraft, the mission, mission operations, product assurance, and managerial approach. Also, all relevant supporting information, as far as currently known, is contained in the E-PIP.
Following instrument selection the Experiment Interface Requirements Document (E-IRD) will be issued to define all the technical, managerial and programmatic requirements applicable to each scientific instrument interface with the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter Spacecraft and Mission.
All instruments will have to be compliant with this E-IRD. The E-IRD shall be considered as a baseline for the definition and update of the individual Instruments Experiment Interface Control Document (E-ICD) relevant to each instrument through all phases of the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter development.
This second Annual Report of the International Space Exploration Coordination Group (ISECG) and its sub-working groups provides highlights of their activities during the past twelve-months including the progress of its Workplan, work ahead, the major space exploration accomplishments of its members including future opportunities, and progress in implementing the Themes described in "The Global Exploration Strategy: The Framework for Coordination".
In addition, this ISECG Annual Report, as with the 2007 edition, provides an opportunity for agencies to update the international community on their individual space exploration plans - this information will be found in the Annex.
The Annual Report is intended to keep all exploration stakeholders, including other exploration related coordination groups, better informed of the ISECG's work and progress implementing the Global Exploration Strategy Framework document.
Efficient, beneficial and public supported Space Exploration can only be accomplished as an international endeavour involving a diverse stakeholder community comprising; space agencies and their policy/funding governments, industry, scientific institutions, academia, and non-profit groups. The ISECG is facilitating this dialogue and understanding.
- Current ExoMars objectives
- Recap of Enhanced ExoMars Baseline
- Present transfer timelines to avoid dust storm landing
- Present and future TLC capability at Mars
- Financial Situation
- Descoping strategy
- Next Steps
- MREP(MarsRobotic Exploration Preparation
- Conclusions
- Executive Summary
- Introduction
- Science Objectives
- High-level Requirements
- Implementation of Mars Sample Return
- Development Timeline
- Management Planning
- Public Outreach and Education
- Conclusions and Next Steps
- Acknowledgements, References, and Appendices
This document is the result of the collective work of representatives of the following Space Agencies and Organisations:
ASI, Italy | ESA, Europe | |
BNSC, UK | ISRO, India | |
CNES, France | JAXA, Japan | |
CNSA, China | KARI, South Korea | |
CSA, Canada | NASA, USA | |
CSIRO, Australia | NSAU, Ucraine | |
DLR, Germany | Roscomos, Russia |