Produced by: Tarun Mishra Designed by: Manoj Kumar
The European Space Agency (ESA) has introduced a long-term strategy, "Explore 2040," focused on increasing Europe's role in space exploration, targeting human missions to the Moon and Mars.
Credit : ESA
ESA Director-General Josef Aschbacher outlined the mission's goals at the International Astronautical Congress, noting ESA's plans to accelerate innovation and bolster infrastructure for lunar and Martian exploration.
The 2025 Ministerial Council meeting will be a pivotal decision-making event, where ESA's 22 member states will set the agenda for Europe’s future in space, based on their commitment and program funding.
Credit : ESA
ESA is developing a post-ISS pathway that includes a dedicated LEO cargo program and planning for end-to-end cargo return capabilities, potentially laying the groundwork for independent European human spaceflight.
To support lunar operations, ESA is partnering with Airbus on the Argonaut, a cargo lander designed to deliver supplies to the Moon, essential for collaborative and sustainable lunar exploration.
ESA is working on the LightShip program, an electric tug designed to transport payloads to Mars, provide navigation and communication, and assist in establishing a stable Martian infrastructure.
ESA is supporting Mars exploration by launching the delayed Rosalind Franklin rover and committing to Moonlight, a navigation and communication network around the Moon.
Looking beyond, ESA’s 2028 Ministerial Council will review expanded lunar exploration plans, including a potential lunar camp and upgraded infrastructure following the ISS phase-out.