DiPippoB 135B.qxd 7/30/08 3:15 PM Page 10
New Challenges
Simonetta Di Pippo Director of Human Spaceflight, ESTEC, Noordwijk, The Netherlands
SA’s new Director of Human Spaceflight looks at how we have demonstrated E Europe’s ability to live up to our ambitions in human spaceflight, and how we are entering the next phase of the human exploration of space.
The International Space Station (ISS) is today a beautiful reality, an inter- national accomplishment which Europe, through ESA, is proudly part of. The European-built Node-2, the ESA Columbus laboratory and Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) are key contributions to an endeavour that has brought humanity to live and work in space uninterruptedly for almost a decade now. Five international partners repre- senting 14 nations have succeeded to bring to life the largest civilian cooperative project ever conceived. Hundreds of thousands of skilled workers throughout the world have been Backdropped by Earth, the ISS is seen from working to build and operate the ISS, Space Shuttle Discovery on 12 June 2008 learning from each other. Citizens from during the STS-124 mission (NASA) all over the world have witnessed in
esa bulletin 135 - august 2008 11 DiPippoB 135B.qxd 7/30/08 3:15 PM Page 10
New Challenges
Simonetta Di Pippo Director of Human Spaceflight, ESTEC, Noordwijk, The Netherlands
SA’s new Director of Human Spaceflight looks at how we have demonstrated E Europe’s ability to live up to our ambitions in human spaceflight, and how we are entering the next phase of the human exploration of space.
The International Space Station (ISS) is today a beautiful reality, an inter- national accomplishment which Europe, through ESA, is proudly part of. The European-built Node-2, the ESA Columbus laboratory and Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) are key contributions to an endeavour that has brought humanity to live and work in space uninterruptedly for almost a decade now. Five international partners repre- senting 14 nations have succeeded to bring to life the largest civilian cooperative project ever conceived. Hundreds of thousands of skilled workers throughout the world have been Backdropped by Earth, the ISS is seen from working to build and operate the ISS, Space Shuttle Discovery on 12 June 2008 learning from each other. Citizens from during the STS-124 mission (NASA) all over the world have witnessed in
esa bulletin 135 - august 2008 11 DiPippoB 135B.qxd 7/30/08 3:15 PM Page 12
Human Spaceflight New Challenges
amazement male and female astronauts The Next Phase of Space Exploration from many nations working together to The first phase of space exploration is now The ISS as seen from Space Shuttle Discovery in June assemble and utilise this first inter- over. During this phase, we learned to fly in 2008 after the addition of the Japanese Kibo module national human outpost in outer space. space, to live and work there, but always (lower centre near ESA's Columbus). ESA's ATV Jules Verne is at the top, recognised by its familiar diagonal Much has been said about the ISS, but remaining safely close to Earth. In cross of solar panels (NASA) it will always be a reminder of the human parallel, our robotic proxies have reached desire to explore and push the frontiers, a out and conducted an initial, but no less signpost for future directions in our space fascinating, exploration of more distant activities. planets, including Mars, which remains the One cannot celebrate the ISS without ultimate destination for a human mission. thinking of those who have lost their lives We are on the edge of a second phase in this enterprise, reminding us all that that promises to be much more rewarding space activities, even though much safer as we build on the accomplishments and than before, still represents a risk that the experience gained previously, in order requires all the possible safety measures. to go farther than low Earth orbit and to The near-completion of the ISS do much more. however compels us to act rapidly in order This next phase will be characterised by not to waste the investment made so far a number of important players with and not to dissipate the human capital and similar capabilities, a second wave of knowledge gained over the last two innovation linked to space exploration, an decades. accrued attention paid to economic This was the consideration that led factors and, possibly, by the emergence of ESA to define and propose to its Member private enterprise in human spaceflight States in 2001 the European space and exploration. Because this second exploration programme Aurora. In a phase aims at a sustained effort in space different context, this was also, at least exploration, cooperation will be even partially, the underlying consideration in more important and will occur probably With a significant contribution from opportunity for cooperation. The first Europe’s Role in Human Spaceflight the US Presidential Vision for Space at global level. Europe through ESA and four national element of this mechanism is an Europe has secured an important role in Exploration announced in January 2004 With this in mind, 14 space agencies space agencies (ASI, BNSC, CNES and International Space Exploration the ISS partnership and has lived up to that eventually turned NASA in a ‘space worldwide have produced an important DLR), this document lays down the Coordination Group (ISECG) that is its commitments brilliantly. We should exploration agency’. document called ‘Global Exploration common vision and objectives by possibly meant to implement, with the support of credit the European industry in Strategy: a framework for coordination’. all space agencies involved or interested in a Secretariat, the strategic vision developing and manufacturing the space space exploration. contained in the document. The hardware that has been working It also provides for a mechanism of experience and the tradition of working flawlessly since the first day of coordination and for multiplying the together that we have gained in the ISS installation and ever since. Columbus, will come in very useful as we plan to ATV, Node-2 and many other elements pool our resources for a robust and have gained for Europe the respect and sustained space exploration effort. compliments from all international partners. Special credit goes to past ESA Directors of human spaceflight
12 esa bulletin 135 - august 2008 www.esa.int www.esa.int esa bulletin 135 - august 2008 13 DiPippoB 135B.qxd 7/30/08 3:15 PM Page 12
Human Spaceflight New Challenges
amazement male and female astronauts The Next Phase of Space Exploration from many nations working together to The first phase of space exploration is now The ISS as seen from Space Shuttle Discovery in June assemble and utilise this first inter- over. During this phase, we learned to fly in 2008 after the addition of the Japanese Kibo module national human outpost in outer space. space, to live and work there, but always (lower centre near ESA's Columbus). ESA's ATV Jules Verne is at the top, recognised by its familiar diagonal Much has been said about the ISS, but remaining safely close to Earth. In cross of solar panels (NASA) it will always be a reminder of the human parallel, our robotic proxies have reached desire to explore and push the frontiers, a out and conducted an initial, but no less signpost for future directions in our space fascinating, exploration of more distant activities. planets, including Mars, which remains the One cannot celebrate the ISS without ultimate destination for a human mission. thinking of those who have lost their lives We are on the edge of a second phase in this enterprise, reminding us all that that promises to be much more rewarding space activities, even though much safer as we build on the accomplishments and than before, still represents a risk that the experience gained previously, in order requires all the possible safety measures. to go farther than low Earth orbit and to The near-completion of the ISS do much more. however compels us to act rapidly in order This next phase will be characterised by not to waste the investment made so far a number of important players with and not to dissipate the human capital and similar capabilities, a second wave of knowledge gained over the last two innovation linked to space exploration, an decades. accrued attention paid to economic This was the consideration that led factors and, possibly, by the emergence of ESA to define and propose to its Member private enterprise in human spaceflight States in 2001 the European space and exploration. Because this second exploration programme Aurora. In a phase aims at a sustained effort in space different context, this was also, at least exploration, cooperation will be even partially, the underlying consideration in more important and will occur probably With a significant contribution from opportunity for cooperation. The first Europe’s Role in Human Spaceflight the US Presidential Vision for Space at global level. Europe through ESA and four national element of this mechanism is an Europe has secured an important role in Exploration announced in January 2004 With this in mind, 14 space agencies space agencies (ASI, BNSC, CNES and International Space Exploration the ISS partnership and has lived up to that eventually turned NASA in a ‘space worldwide have produced an important DLR), this document lays down the Coordination Group (ISECG) that is its commitments brilliantly. We should exploration agency’. document called ‘Global Exploration common vision and objectives by possibly meant to implement, with the support of credit the European industry in Strategy: a framework for coordination’. all space agencies involved or interested in a Secretariat, the strategic vision developing and manufacturing the space space exploration. contained in the document. The hardware that has been working It also provides for a mechanism of experience and the tradition of working flawlessly since the first day of coordination and for multiplying the together that we have gained in the ISS installation and ever since. Columbus, will come in very useful as we plan to ATV, Node-2 and many other elements pool our resources for a robust and have gained for Europe the respect and sustained space exploration effort. compliments from all international partners. Special credit goes to past ESA Directors of human spaceflight
12 esa bulletin 135 - august 2008 www.esa.int www.esa.int esa bulletin 135 - august 2008 13 DiPippoB 135B.qxd 7/30/08 3:15 PM Page 14
Human Spaceflight New Challenges
activities, Jörg Feustel-Büechl, who had contribute to a significant level in space for such a long time skilfully managed exploration will have a real say in a the ESA ISS programme, and Daniel possible evolution of the current Sacotte, under whose mandate all the international principles regulating the use major European elements were launched of outer space. and successfully commissioned. The main themes that ESA will be Through the participation in the ISS presenting to the Ministers of ESA endeavour, ESA has been able to gain an Member States, in the ESA Ministerial important experience in human Council in Den Haag in November 2008, spaceflight. The European Astronaut are: Corps is a valuable asset for Europe, not – building on the investments made in only for the individual European countries, the past and the resulting industrial but also for our international partners as know-how and human capital; the recent positive performances of our – contributing to a knowledge-based astronauts have shown. economy and social growth in Europe; In May and June this year, over – stimulating innovation and research; 9000 European men and women, from all – fostering European geopolitical role ESA Member States, enthusiastically and inspiring our citizens, and responded to ESA’s call for a new class of – providing a unifying and very astronauts. They are the proof that visible example of a world-class human spaceflight is not only a highly European programme. technical and innovation-rich activity, but These are ambitious but also can still make people dream. They affordable proposals regarding its future represent not only the individual wish to role in the global endeavour of space accomplish something exceptional like exploration. becoming an astronaut, but also the European decision-makers demon- desire to see Europe playing a visible role strated vision and inspiration when they in the future space exploration. backed the Aurora programme, first in Europe cannot afford to remain at the 2001 as a preparatory programme and margin of what is bound to be one of the subsequently in 2005 as a fully fledged great undertakings of this century. programme. These decisions have given Expanding human presence in the Europe the required leverage, credibility Universe, namely on the Moon and later and framework to be recognised, together on Mars, will positively mark humankind with the recent successful missions, as a A close-up view of ESA's Columbus laboratory and and our societies. This great challenge credible and important partner in space Node-2 photographed by an STS-122 crewmember on will be a source of inspiration and of exploration. Space Shuttle Atlantis shortly after the undocking of mutual understanding as we cooperate to The ExoMars mission in 2013 is not the two spacecraft in February 2008 (NASA) reach a goal unattainable by any nation only a European flagship mission, but on its own. Resolving the engineering and also a key element of the international logistic issues of sustained surface effort to better understand and operations, with the requirements in term characterise Mars in preparation of of mobility, energy and life support future human missions. The work systems, will boost research and conducted on architectures, generic innovation in fields that are also vital to exploration technologies, life-support the well being of millions of men and systems and, in particular, on a Mars women on Earth. Sample Return mission concept has reinforced this role for ESA and Europe. Themes For the Future Space exploration will also be a great Autonomy and Cooperation diplomatic and geopolitical opportunity We need to keep this direction and at the where the relative influence will be as same time consider a step forward to important as the capabilities each player enhance our role and increase our can display. Additionally it is likely that autonomy, both to reinforce partnerships only those nations that participate and and to better serve European interests.
14 esa bulletin 135 - august 2008 www.esa.int www.esa.int esa bulletin 135 - august 2008 15 DiPippoB 135B.qxd 7/30/08 3:15 PM Page 14
Human Spaceflight New Challenges
activities, Jörg Feustel-Büechl, who had contribute to a significant level in space for such a long time skilfully managed exploration will have a real say in a the ESA ISS programme, and Daniel possible evolution of the current Sacotte, under whose mandate all the international principles regulating the use major European elements were launched of outer space. and successfully commissioned. The main themes that ESA will be Through the participation in the ISS presenting to the Ministers of ESA endeavour, ESA has been able to gain an Member States, in the ESA Ministerial important experience in human Council in Den Haag in November 2008, spaceflight. The European Astronaut are: Corps is a valuable asset for Europe, not – building on the investments made in only for the individual European countries, the past and the resulting industrial but also for our international partners as know-how and human capital; the recent positive performances of our – contributing to a knowledge-based astronauts have shown. economy and social growth in Europe; In May and June this year, over – stimulating innovation and research; 9000 European men and women, from all – fostering European geopolitical role ESA Member States, enthusiastically and inspiring our citizens, and responded to ESA’s call for a new class of – providing a unifying and very astronauts. They are the proof that visible example of a world-class human spaceflight is not only a highly European programme. technical and innovation-rich activity, but These are ambitious but also can still make people dream. They affordable proposals regarding its future represent not only the individual wish to role in the global endeavour of space accomplish something exceptional like exploration. becoming an astronaut, but also the European decision-makers demon- desire to see Europe playing a visible role strated vision and inspiration when they in the future space exploration. backed the Aurora programme, first in Europe cannot afford to remain at the 2001 as a preparatory programme and margin of what is bound to be one of the subsequently in 2005 as a fully fledged great undertakings of this century. programme. These decisions have given Expanding human presence in the Europe the required leverage, credibility Universe, namely on the Moon and later and framework to be recognised, together on Mars, will positively mark humankind with the recent successful missions, as a A close-up view of ESA's Columbus laboratory and and our societies. This great challenge credible and important partner in space Node-2 photographed by an STS-122 crewmember on will be a source of inspiration and of exploration. Space Shuttle Atlantis shortly after the undocking of mutual understanding as we cooperate to The ExoMars mission in 2013 is not the two spacecraft in February 2008 (NASA) reach a goal unattainable by any nation only a European flagship mission, but on its own. Resolving the engineering and also a key element of the international logistic issues of sustained surface effort to better understand and operations, with the requirements in term characterise Mars in preparation of of mobility, energy and life support future human missions. The work systems, will boost research and conducted on architectures, generic innovation in fields that are also vital to exploration technologies, life-support the well being of millions of men and systems and, in particular, on a Mars women on Earth. Sample Return mission concept has reinforced this role for ESA and Europe. Themes For the Future Space exploration will also be a great Autonomy and Cooperation diplomatic and geopolitical opportunity We need to keep this direction and at the where the relative influence will be as same time consider a step forward to important as the capabilities each player enhance our role and increase our can display. Additionally it is likely that autonomy, both to reinforce partnerships only those nations that participate and and to better serve European interests.
14 esa bulletin 135 - august 2008 www.esa.int www.esa.int esa bulletin 135 - august 2008 15 DiPippoB 135B.qxd 7/30/08 3:15 PM Page 16
Human Spaceflight New Challenges
ESA astronaut Hans Schlegel seen during his ‘Autonomy for enhanced cooperation’ is spacewalk on the STS-122 mission to install Columbus. how we like to refer to it. Increasing (Right) ESA's ATV Jules Verne seen in flight before European capabilities for the reasons docking with the ISS in April 2008 (NASA) described will eventually result in a more robust and sustainable global space exploration effort. Only one element will allow Europe to make this leap and reach a higher status among spacefaring nations, and this unique element is an autonomous capability in space transportation and its further evolution.
The Next Logical Evolution The ATV’s capabilities are a great help to overall ISS logistics and a pride for Europe, ESA and our industry. We have the duty to build on this accomplishment, to continue down the path of a European capability that would return cargo initially and to prepare for its next logical evolution. Industry has already been working on similar concepts. Today it seems that there is also a convergence among key players in the institutional European space landscape. Our successes have boosted our confidence and provided us with a capital of credibility that will evaporate if we wait too long. The international context is favourable as space exploration is top on the agenda of most of the space agencies worldwide. We need to seize this opportunity and in the next months lay down the foundations for European programmes that will determine our role and positioning in the decades to come, and that will probably define our contribution to one of the biggest enterprises that humankind will undertake this century - taking humans to the surface of a distant world.
16 esa bulletin 135 - august 2008 www.esa.int www.esa.int esa bulletin 135 - august 2008 17 DiPippoB 135B.qxd 7/30/08 3:15 PM Page 16
Human Spaceflight New Challenges
ESA astronaut Hans Schlegel seen during his ‘Autonomy for enhanced cooperation’ is spacewalk on the STS-122 mission to install Columbus. how we like to refer to it. Increasing (Right) ESA's ATV Jules Verne seen in flight before European capabilities for the reasons docking with the ISS in April 2008 (NASA) described will eventually result in a more robust and sustainable global space exploration effort. Only one element will allow Europe to make this leap and reach a higher status among spacefaring nations, and this unique element is an autonomous capability in space transportation and its further evolution.
The Next Logical Evolution The ATV’s capabilities are a great help to overall ISS logistics and a pride for Europe, ESA and our industry. We have the duty to build on this accomplishment, to continue down the path of a European capability that would return cargo initially and to prepare for its next logical evolution. Industry has already been working on similar concepts. Today it seems that there is also a convergence among key players in the institutional European space landscape. Our successes have boosted our confidence and provided us with a capital of credibility that will evaporate if we wait too long. The international context is favourable as space exploration is top on the agenda of most of the space agencies worldwide. We need to seize this opportunity and in the next months lay down the foundations for European programmes that will determine our role and positioning in the decades to come, and that will probably define our contribution to one of the biggest enterprises that humankind will undertake this century - taking humans to the surface of a distant world.
16 esa bulletin 135 - august 2008 www.esa.int www.esa.int esa bulletin 135 - august 2008 17