![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]()
Paris (ESA) Jul 20, 2004 At the last meeting of the Aurora Board of Participants, held at ESA's Paris headquarters on Thursday 8 July, the participating states approved the Preparatory Phase of the European Space Exploration Programme (ESEP). Revising the original Declaration, the European countries already participating, plus Canada, unanimously agreed to remodel Aurora into a broader preparatory ESEP. This is with a view to possibly increasing their subscriptions and welcoming further participants, including the European Union, in accordance with the signed Framework Agreement. This decision will ensure that industrial work carried out thus far under Aurora continues. It will enable the drafting of a long-term plan for a robust, innovative and flexible ESEP programme proposal and for a decision at the next ESA ministerial-level Council meeting in 2005. Concerning the financial envelope for this phase, participating states are to confirm their subscription levels by the end-September deadline. This Preparatory Phase responds to the Director General's call for new initiatives to build a European Space Programme. Alongside basic and utilitarian activities, the European Space Exploration Programme will provide the inspirational dimension to this. It is, however, also deeply rooted in the work done under Aurora since 2001. The European Commission (EC), together with all ESA Member States not yet participating, attended the meetings that produced this positive result. They expressed a common interest in space exploration and in ESA's proposal. The EC is expected to contribute to the Preparatory Phase, especially to scenario building and public outreach. Pending the next ESA Ministerial Council, work on the main missions designed under Aurora will continue. Notably, the follow-on to the ExoMars Phase A industrial studies and the entry vehicle demonstrator. Mars sample return mission studies will continue and a technology development study on entry, descent and landing systems is also scheduled. Community Email This Article Comment On This Article Related Links Aurora at ESA SpaceDaily Search SpaceDaily Subscribe To SpaceDaily Express Earth Observation News - Suppiliers, Technology and Application
![]() ![]() The importance of remotely sensed data and technologies to support natural disasters has prompted attention and action in Washington. New initiatives and legislation authorizing appropriations to the remote sensing industry will be discussed at Strategic Research Institute's U.S. Commercial Remote Sensing Industry conference, scheduled for February 9-10, 2006 in Washington D.C. |
![]() |
|
The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2006 - SpaceDaily.AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA PortalReports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additionalcopyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by SpaceDaily on any Web page published or hosted by SpaceDaily. Privacy Statement |