The ISECG Science White Paper - A Scientific Perspective on the Global Exploration Roadmap
Abstract
Future space exploration goals call for sending humans and robots beyond low Earth orbit and establishing sustained access to destinations such as the Moon, asteroids and Mars. Space agencies participating in the International Space Exploration Coordination Group (ISECG) are discussing an international approach for achieving these goals, documented in ISECG's Global Exploration Roadmap (GER). The GER reference scenario reflects a step-wise evolution of critical capabilities from ISS to missions in the lunar vicinity in preparation for the journey of humans to Mars. As an element of this continued road mapping effort, the ISECG agencies are therefore soliciting input and coordinated discussion with the scientific community to better articulate and promote the scientific opportunities of the proposed mission themes. An improved understanding of the scientific drivers and the requirements to address priority science questions associated with the exploration destinations (Moon, Near Earth Asteroids, Mars and its moons) as well as the preparatory activities in cis-lunar space is beneficial to optimize the partnership of robotic assets and human presence beyond low Earth orbit. The interaction has resulted in the development of a Science White Paper to: • Identify and highlight the scientific opportunities in early exploration missions as the GER reference architecture matures, • Communicate overarching science themes and their relevance in the GER destinations, • Ensure international science communities' perspectives inform the future evolution of mission concepts considered in the GER The paper aims to capture the opportunities offered by the missions in the GER for a broad range of scientific disciplines. These include planetary and space sciences, astrobiology, life sciences, physical sciences, astronomy and Earth science. The paper is structured around grand science themes that draw together and connect research in the various disciplines, and it will focus on opportunities created by the near-term mission themes in the GER centred around 1) extended duration crew missions to an exploration habitat in cis-lunar space, 2) crew mission(s) to an asteroid, and 3) crew missions to the lunar surface. The preparation of that Science White Paper has been coordinated and led by an external Science Advisory Group composed of scientists form a variety of nations. The first draft of this White Paper has been discussed on the occasion of a COSPAR-ISECG-ESF workshop organised in Paris on 10-11 February 2016. The recommendations developed at the workshop provide further input that is incorporated in the final version of the ISECG Science White Paper, expected to be published in the fall of 2016. The authors aim to present the rationale and contents of this White Paper on the occasion of the COSPAR Assembly.
- Publication:
-
41st COSPAR Scientific Assembly
- Pub Date:
- July 2016
- Bibcode:
- 2016cosp...41E.275B