Potential European Contributions to International Exploration Scenarios

摘要

ASTRIUM Space Transportation conducted a study for the European Space Agency related to possible contributions to international space exploration scenarios. As part of this activity, a number of possible scenarios were identified and their building block elements were analyzed. For these scenarios, programmatic and technical aspects for items of particular interest were investigated. Europe has 3 main assets for Exploration:, the Ariane5 launcher, the Columbus Module and the Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV). Based on these elements and its technologies further exploration elements can be derived, such as an Earth Departure Stage based on an Ariane 5 upper stage, a Man-Tended Orbital Module based on Columbus or a Lunar Logistic Vehicle based on ATV. The paper presents possible European contributions to international space exploration scenarios as outlined within the former Global Exploration roadmap, i.e. the "Moon first" and "Near Earth Objects first" scenarios. These elements can developed either by Europe alone or in cooperation with other agencies, benefiting from their existing technologies. Important European contributions and building block elements will be presented in this paper as well as a critical assessment of the ISECG mission scenarios and included Design Reference Missions.