Directorate of Human & Robotics Exploration

Question 1

Human & Robotics Exploration Directorate’s tasks:

Answer 1

Oversees

• all of ESA’s human spaceflight activities,
• as well as robotic exploration missions to the Moon,
• Mars and beyond

Question 2

What is the main goal of ESA’s Human & Robotic Exploration programme?

Answer 2

-Enable human spaceflight and robotic missions…
… to expand our knowledge of Earth, the solar system, and the universe, and …
… to foster sustainable exploration capabilities

Question 3

What role does ESA play in the International Space Station?

Answer 3

• contributes modules like Columbus,
• participates in scientific experiments, and
• sends European astronauts for various missions.

Question 4

What are the components of the ExoMars Programme?

Answer 4

The programme includes the

• Trace Gas Orbiter (analyse trace gases in atmosphere which could give hints regarding biological activity ob Mars) and the
• planned Rosalind Franklin rover (search for organic material, drilling 2 meters deep, analysis in rover)
• aimed at finding signs of past life on Mars.

Question 5

What is ESA’s role in the Artemis program?

Answer 5

The Artemis programme shall re-establish human presence on the moon and establish a permanent base in the long run.

• developing the European Service Module (ESM) for NASA’s Orion spacecraft to support missions around and to the Moon, and
• contributing to the Lunar Gateway.

Question 6

What is the objective of the Mars Sample Return mission involving ESA?

Answer 6

To collaborate with NASA to return samples from Mars to Earth, involving multiple launches and the first rocket launch from Mars’ surface.

Question 7

What future missions are planned under ESA’s exploration programme?

Answer 7

• more advanced Mars missions,
• lunar surface explorations with international partners,
• and potentially human missions to Mars.

Question 8

What are the four corner stones of Human and Robotic explorations?

Answer 8

CS 1: Human in Low Earth Orbit

• Extend ISS operation until 2030
• Promote commercial exploration services
• Prepare Europe’s access to Earth Orbit beyond the ISS

CS 2: Humans Beyond LEO

• Delivery of six European Service Modules which are crucial to bring astronauts to the Moon (provide life support and control functions)
• Help build 1st research station in lunar orbit (Gateway, contributing 3 key elements: habitate space, refuelling, telecommunication)

CS 3: Moon Robotic Exploration

• Build Argonaut Large Logistic Lander
• Land scientific payloads to search for water and other substances to understand the moon’s history and prepare sustainable exploration using present resources

CS 4: Mars Robotic Exploration

• Gas Orbiter gathers data
• Build new lander for ExoMars rover