Human space exploration in the future


Moon base – artist's view
 
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30 May 2008
 
To land on the Moon and on Mars, scientists need a mix of human and robotic missions to know in advance what challenges must be met. A video report from the Berlin International Airshow's Space Pavilion on the future of human exploration in space.

Vodcast

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In February 2008, the Agency's long-awaited Columbus science lab was successfully delivered to the International Space Station, and on 3 April, the first Automated Transfer Vehicle - the Jules Verne - made a spectacular automated docking to the Russian ISS module, establishing ESA as a full partner in ISS operations.

To land, first, on the Moon and, later, on Mars - in the 2030 timeframe - scientists need a mix of human and robotic missions to know in advance what challenges must be met - to know how humans can survive for years under microgravity, to scout landing zones and to develop precise navigation and artificial intelligence techniques.

What is the overall concept of a human mission to Mars? And what is the right mix of human/robotic missions and international partners for future missions to the Moon and Mars?
  
 

Multimedia

 •   EO highlight at ILA (http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEMNQ6NKRGF_index_0.html)
 •  Mars area virtual tour (http://download.esa.int/qt/pano3.mov)
 •  ILA photo gallery (http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEM3QANKRGF_index_mg_1.html)

Related articles

 •  Small GEO mission - signature at ILA 2008 (http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEMRPP1YUFF_index_0.html)
 •  EarthCARE satellite contract signed (http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEMMBQ1YUFF_index_0.html)
 •  ‘Space for Europe, Space for the Earth’ at the Berlin Air and Space Show, ILA 2008 (http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEMHRM1YUFF_index_0.html)
 •  Berlin Air Show ILA2008: space showcased all under one roof (http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEMYAN0YUFF_index_0.html)

Related links

 •  Berlin Air Show ILA 2010 (http://www.ila-berlin.com/ila2010/home/index_e.cfm)

Press info

 •  Full programme (http://www.esa.int/esaCP/Pr_27_2008_p_EN.html)
 •  iTunesPodcast (http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=117835479 &s=143441)
 •  Yahoo! Podcasts (http://podcasts.yahoo.com/series?s=4bd3e42bd1a996c47ff89731a8832060)
 •  RSS Podcast ESApod (http://feeds.feedburner.com/ESApod)
 •  Learnoutloud (http://www.learnoutloud.com/Podcast-Directory/Science/Astronomy/ESA-Podcast/16859)
 •  Podcastnet (http://www.podcast.net/show/45773)
 •  Podnova Podcast (http://www.podnova.com/index_podnova_station.srf?url=http://esamultimedia.esa.int/multimedia/esc/esapod.xml)
 •  ESApod (http://odeo.com/channel/105568/view)

Required software

 •   Windows Media Player (http://www.microsoft.com)
 •   QuickTime (http://www.apple.com)