From in-space mining to comms infrastructure for deep space missions, ESA is thinking big in Technology 2040, a new report that provides a roadmap for the region’s future in space over the next ~15 years.
The document is a follow-on to the agency’s Strategy 2040 plan. It takes an in-depth look at the technological developments that ESA wants to invest in today to see returns in the future.
The roadmap outlines the technologies Europe will need to meet ESA’s long-term goals, including:
- Autonomous systems to mine resources in space for in-situ use, or scientific endeavors back on Earth.
- Autonomous, self-sustaining habitats and hibernation systems to support long-term human spaceflights.
- Ultracompact satellites, improved remote sensing capabilities, and the proliferation of VLEO communication constellations to improve communications and Earth sensing.
- A solar system-wide internet, navigation, and communication system to support deep space exploration.
- Increased focus on sustainability in-space, and the protection of dark and quiet skies, to protect the environment and astronomy.
In the short term, ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher highlighted the need for Europe to increase the region’s international partnerships and grow the number of launches on the continent (which will rely heavily on building more spaceport capacity).
Aschbacher also met with NASA Acting Administrator Janet Petro to discuss the future of ESA and NASA collaborations. Like other space agencies, ESA is grappling with cuts to NASA’s proposed budget.
