Simonetta Di Pippo, ESA Director of Human Spaceflight, on the challenges and objectives for 2010
2010 will be a foundation year for future Human Spaceflight and Exploration endeavours. The year has started with the successful launch and installation of Node-3 and Cupola to the International Space Station (ISS): two European-built modules that will provide more space for equipment and the astronauts, and in the case of Cupola, a unique vantage point for observing the Earth, amongst other things, and for studying atmospheric phenomena affecting climate change.
Nearing ISS completion, there is strong support from all ISS partners to extend the operational lifetime of the Station beyond 2015 to at least 2020, possibly 2028, reinforcing the ISS as an excellent example of international cooperation and platform for collaborative scientific and technological research. We now have the responsibility to continue and enhance the utilisation of this unique laboratory for the benefit of humankind and to build on the know-how that we have acquired to support European industry’s competitiveness and Europe’s role in future space exploration undertakings. Pursuing human exploration and developing autonomous transportation capabilities in Europe to enable access to space/ LEO, is the logical next step, especially post Shuttle retirement in 2010. In this regard, any Human Spaceflight and Exploration decisions and actions taken today will provide a solid basis for tomorrow’s goals and for the next generation of scientists, engineers and “explorers”.
Europe is determined to assume a prominent role in this endeavour. During 2010 two ESA astronauts will be on board the ISS. ESA astronaut Roberto Vittori has been assigned on an ASI flight opportunity as a Mission Specialist on board Space Shuttle mission STS-134 currently scheduled for launch to the ISS at the end of July. The STS-134 mission will deliver two important elements to the ISS: a unique fundamental physic payload, the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS) and the third ExPRESS Logistics Carrier. ESA astronaut Paolo Nespoli has been assigned to Expedition 26/27, a 6-month duration mission scheduled to start in December.
The year ahead will again prepare the terrain for a future manned mission to Mars. In June 2010, an international crew of six will take part in a 520-day simulated Mars mission, including a 30-day stay on the Martian surface, in order to investigate the effects of confinement and extreme isolation. The Mars500 programme is part of the scientific efforts to prepare for future human exploration missions. In April the Directorate will host an ISS Conference in Berlin. The conference will gather world-class scientists, influential thinkers and decision-makers from all over the world to celebrate the accomplishments, discuss the way forward on how we can prepare future space exploration from the ISS.
The second of ESA’s Automated Transfer Vehicles (ATV-2), named after Johannes Kepler is slated for launch at the end of this year. With this contribution and the production of three more ATVs beyond ATV-2 to be flown within 2015, Europe has confirmed its commitment to the logistic and resupply of the ISS for the years to come. At the same time, ESA is behind the development of a new generation of space transportation vehicles, the Advanced Re-entry Vehicle (ARV), which will offer return capabilities to and from orbit.
This year also means the beginning of a new decade, a new 10 year period in which space research will keep providing for new discoveries related to science, climate change and industrial and innovative solutions for our needs here on Earth. In this respect, the Human Spaceflight Directorate will continue to work on challenging projects for the future including the development of a Lunar Lander. The Directorate will also continue supporting ongoing research on board Parabolic Flight Campaigns and other Microgravity Research Platforms such as the Maxus-8 Sounding Rocket which is scheduled for launch in March from the Esrange Spaceport in Sweden. Human Spaceflight is also committed to inspire people everywhere, particularly youth, in encouraging knowledge, innovation and creativity.
2010 represents a challenging and pivotal year for the Directorate in preparing the future for Human Spaceflight and Exploration.