The 2008 Annual Report of the International Space Exploration Coordination Group Released March 2009 International Space Exploration Coordination Group (ISECG) – Annual Report:2008 THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY BLANK 1 International Space Exploration Coordination Group (ISECG) – Annual Report:2008 CONTENTS Introduction …………………………………………………………………………… 4 Part 1: The Role of the ISECG 1.1 Overview …………………………………………………………………………. 6 1.2 Working Groups of the ISECG …………………………………………………… 7 1.2.1 Enhancement of Public Engagement …………………………………………… 7 1.2.2 Establishment of Relationships with Existing International Working Groups …. 7 1.2.3 The International Space Exploration Coordination Tool (INTERSECT) ……. 8 1.2.4 The Space Exploration Interface Standards Working Group (ISWG) ………….. 8 1.2.5 Mapping the Space Exploration Journey ………………………………………... 8 Part 2: Current and Near-Term Activities of ISECG Members 2.1 Low Earth Orbit (LEO) …………………………………………………………… 10 2.1.1 The International Space Station (ISS) …………………………………………… 10 2.1.2 Emerging Government Capabilities …………………………………………….. 10 2.1.3 Emerging Commercial Providers ……………………………………………….. 11 2.2 Beyond LEO – The Moon and Mars ……………………………………………….. 11 2.2.1 Moon ……………………………………………………………………………… 11 2.2.2 Mars ………………………………………………………………………………. 12 Part 3: Progress in 2008 towards Opportunities for Integrated and Collaborative Space Exploration 3.1 Robotic Network Science – The International Lunar Network ……………………… 16 3.2 Joint Development for Robotic Exploration – Mars Sample Return ………………………… 17 3.3 Collaborative Human Exploration of the Moon ……………………………………… 18 3.4 An Eventual Human Mission to Mars ………………………………………………. 19 Part 4: Summary and Way Forward …………………………………………………… 20 ANNEX I: Highlights of Space Agencies' Exploration Activities ASI/Italy ………………………………………………………………………………….. 26 BNSC/United Kingdom ………………………………………………………………….. 28 CNES/France ……………………………………………………………………………... 30 CSA/Canada ……………………………………………………………………………… 32 CSIRO/Australia …………………………………………………………………………. 34 DLR/Germany ……………………………………………………………………………. 36 ESA/Europe ………………………………………………………………………………. 38 JAXA-JSPEC/Japan ……………………………………………………………………… 40 NASA/United States of America …………………………………………………………. 42 NSAU/Ukraine ……………………………………………………………………………. 44 2 International Space Exploration Coordination Group (ISECG) – Annual Report:2008 THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY BLANK 3 International Space Exploration Coordination Group (ISECG) – Annual Report:2008 International Space Exploration Coordination Group Annual Report: 2008 Introduction This second Annual Report of the International Space Exploration Coordination Group (ISECG) and its sub-working groups provides highlights of their activities during the past twelve-months including the progress of its Workplan, work ahead, the major space exploration accomplishments of its members including future opportunities, and progress in implementing the Themes described in The Global Exploration Strategy: The Framework for Coordination. In addition, this ISECG Annual Report, as with the 2007 edition, provides an opportunity for agencies to update the international community on their individual space exploration plans – this information will be found in the Annex. The Annual Report is intended to keep all exploration stakeholders, including other exploration related coordination groups, better informed of the ISECG's work and progress implementing the Global Exploration Strategy Framework document. Efficient, beneficial and public supported Space Exploration can only be accomplished as an international endeavour involving a diverse stakeholder community comprising; space agencies and their policy/funding governments, industry, scientific institutions, academia, and non-profit groups. The ISECG is facilitating this dialogue and understanding. 4 International Space Exploration Coordination Group (ISECG) – Annual Report:2008 THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY BLANK 5 International Space Exploration Coordination Group (ISECG) – Annual Report:2008 Part 1 The Role of the ISECG 1.1 Overview The International Space Exploration Coordination Group (ISECG) was born out of The Global Exploration Strategy: The Framework for Coordination (GES or Framework Document) that was prepared by fourteen space agencies1 and published in May 2007. The GES elaborates a vision for the peaceful robotic and human space exploration, including a common set of key space exploration themes, focusing on destinations within the Solar System where humans may one day live and work. This focus on human activity puts low-Earth orbit, the Moon, and Mars into particular focus of the ISECG. The Framework Document also established the framework for the creation of the ISECG. The GES/Framework Document was clear concerning the Principles and Resulting Requirements that would govern the ISECG. The guiding Principles are: • Open and Inclusive (open to any agency with a vested interest in space exploration) • Flexible and Evolutionary (to meet changing needs and circumstances) • Effective (work to an agreed Work-Plan with deliverables useful to all stakeholders) • Mutual Interest (meet the needs of all stakeholders) The Terms of Reference (TORs) for the ISECG were formally adopted at the first meeting of the ISECG held in Berlin in November 2007. The primary purpose of the ISECG is to provide a forum for space agencies to discuss their interests, objectives and plans in space exploration with the view to working collectively towards the further development and implementation of the entire scope of the Global Exploration Strategy set out in the Framework Document. The expected benefits of this coordination are to increase robustness, safety and cost effectiveness of individual and collective exploration goals, and to facilitate the ability of participating agencies to engage in productive bilateral or multilateral discussions, while preserving their autonomy. This will contribute to strengthening the sustainability of global space exploration. In addition the ISECG will strive to promote interest and engagement in space exploration activities throughout society worldwide. The scope of the ISECG activities are broad and strategic, and focused on developing non- binding findings, recommendations and other outputs as necessary for use by participating agencies. In this regard the ISECG is different from other similar groups. The latter, such as the International Mars Exploration Working Group, having a more destination or discipline focus. Importantly, it is not the intent of the ISECG to either duplicate the work or govern the work of other coordination groups, but rather to "work with" them to ensure that ISECG Workplan activities are being covered. 1 In alphabetical order: ASI (Italy), BNSC (United Kingdom), CNES (France), CNSA (China), CSA (Canada), CSIRO (Australia), DLR (Germany), ESA (European Space Agency), ISRO (India), JAXA (Japan), KARI (Republic of Korea), NASA (United States of America), NSAU (Ukraine), Roscosmos (Russia). “Space Agencies” refers to government organizations responsible for space activities. 6 International Space Exploration Coordination Group (ISECG) – Annual Report:2008 From the outset it was agreed that the ISECG would perform its work through an agreed Workplan with each activity being undertaken by a working-group comprising members with a particular interest and expertise in the subject. The Workplan is updated periodically as required such that it is always current, i.e., it is not an annual Workplan. Each Working-Group has a concrete deliverable(s). The ISECG and its Working Groups meet regularly via teleconference, as well as face-to-face meetings, and the ISECG meets in Plenary at least once a year. During the Plenary session agencies share the latest developments in their exploration programs and review the progress of the Workplan Working Groups. The ISECG is supported by a small permanent Secretariat, provided by ESA. The second meeting of the ISECG was held in Montreal, Canada in July 2008 and the third meeting was held in Yokohama, Japan in March 2009. For more information on the ISECG, its publications and for Agencies to request membership please contact the ISECG Secretariat at: [email protected]. The ISECG will soon have a dedicated website. 1.2 Working Groups of the ISECG The ISECG accomplishes its tasks throughout the year through the work of several working groups. These working groups are introduced below, and in some cases described in more detail in corresponding sections of this report. 1.2.1 Enhancement of Public Engagement This Working Group, led by DLR, is identifying the key elements for public engagement that could be used by participating Agencies to promote exploration. 1.2.2 Establishment of Working Relationships with Existing International Working Groups As already mentioned it is not the intent of the ISECG to either duplicate the work or govern the work of other coordination groups, but rather to work with them to ensure that ISECG Workplan activities are being covered. This Working Group, led by CNES, has identified those international bodies of particular relevance to the ISECG and is ensuring that these groups are familiar with the work of the ISECG – the ISECG Annual Reports are one informing mechanism. In addition the ISECG has identified areas, which would greatly benefit from close contact between ISECG and existing working groups. Examples of such activities include: (a) development of exploration data archiving and distribution standards as might be addressed by the International Planetary