In a bid to encourage the formation of UK academic-industrial partnerships for the European Space Agency's long-term Cosmic Vision programme, more than 100 industrialists and scientists met at the National Space Centre in May to identify technologies required for planetary exploration in 2015-25.
"While it may seem like we are planning a long way in advance, first calls for proposals for a mission due to launch in 2015 need to take place in 2006," says David Parker, director of space science at the Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council.
Possible missions include exploration of Jupiter's icy moon Europa, and an interstellar probe powered by a solar sail. Some of the technologies will evolve from current demonstration missions, including the Smart 1 ion-propulsion Moon probe, and will include ultra-light sensors and detectors, formation flying and autonomous operations, miniaturised propulsion and control systems, and cryogenics.
Source: Flight International
