The European space agency ESAs has laid out new long-term plans for space exploration. The work has been named Terrae Novae (New Land) and a report outlines the most important points up to 2040.
These plans include both manned and robotic exploration, and focus primarily on the development of activities in low Earth orbit, and on the moon and Mars, says Arvid Bertheau Johannessen, head of manned space travel and exploration at the Norwegian Space Centre.
We are talking about “low earth orbit” for satellites located at an altitude of between 160 and 1000 kilometers. The International Space Station, for example, is in low Earth orbit.
A stronger partner in the room
In the report, ESA has, among other things, looked at the capacities of the various space nations the USA, Russia, China, India, Japan and ESA itself today.
This includes, among other things, transporting supplies and astronauts to low Earth orbit, being able to land vessels or supplies on the moon, bringing home samples from the moon, and being able to land rovers or bring home samples from Mars.
– Based on such assessments, ESA wants to take a more independent role as an equal partner with other major space nations, among other things to be able to exchange services in space with them, such as space for astronauts on space journeys to the moon, says Bertheau Johannessen.
He emphasizes that it is not intended that Europe should do everything that the major space nations are supposed to do, or be completely independent of them, but aims to have more independent capacity than before in order to become a stronger partner in international cooperation in space.
Norwegian industry and research with strong contributions
The new report is an overview of what ESA and the space organisation’s member countries, such as Norway, believe ESA should aim for in a general strategy up to 2040.
– After that, more closely analyzed roadmaps, which go into more concrete action on what the new plans will cost and at what rate they should be implemented, will be prepared by ESA for the space ministerial conferences in 2025, 2028 and even further into the future, says Bertheau Johannessen.
But in the new report, ESA’s general strategy and long-term plans are presented.
– We hope and believe it will be of interest to Norwegian industry and research, which has so far been involved in most of ESA’s programs and has been far ahead with its contributions to these, says Bertheau Johannessen.
Own supply vessel for low earth orbit
One of the first things that ESA wants to do is to develop a reusable spacecraft to carry supplies and experiments into low Earth orbit, and bring experiments and other things back to Earth.
– ESA has already started the first studies of this new spacecraft, which is called LEO Cargo Return. The plan is that it can offer shipping as a service to other space nations and private players in space, says Bertheau Johannessen.
The new report is long-term, but a good basis for making more concrete plans for the future. Next, the member states of ESA, including Norway, must come together to find out what ESA should prioritize doing itself and what should be left to the other major space nations.
– This assessment also includes which activities in the room should be manned and which should be unmanned, says Bertheau Johannessen.
Balance between own capacity and collaboration
Both Norway and other member states have, also at the highest level in the space organisation, expressed that ESA should not be independent in everything they do in space, because Europe has neither the economy nor the industry for that.
– There must be a sensible balance between independence and cooperation with the other nations in the area, says Bertheau Johannessen.
He nevertheless notes that the new strategy raises ESA’s ambitions in space and for the future, and that it is exciting.
– We hope that Norway, with Norwegian industry and Norwegian research, will find roles in the specific space activities that come out of ESA’s long-term plans for the future, concludes Bertheau Johannessen.
ESA has open calls for proposals for technology and services for use in space, especially in low Earth orbit, the moon and Mars.