Step by step, the European Space Agency’s Aurora space exploration programme is beginning to take shape. This ambitious programme, started by ESA in 2002, sets out a strategy over the next 30 years for Europe’s robotic and human exploration of the Moon, Mars, and even beyond.
Atmospheric re-entry issues will strongly impact the development of reusable vehicles and the planning of exploration missions. Two re-entry vehicles projects, aimed to demonstrate reusable technologies maturity, are being considered.
First, the Pre-X vehicle, initiated by CNES, will be the first in Europe to demonstrate gliding atmospheric re-entry involving the use of specific thermal protection technologies. Its first flight is scheduled for 2008.
Second, the Expert vehicle, a European project, will study the ballistic re-entry phase and help to understand both aerodynamics and thermal issues of this type of re-entry.
Tests are expected to begin in 2007. CNES highly supports the French firms involved with the programme, namely EADS Space Transportation, Dassault Aviation, Snecma Propulsion Solide, Astrium SAS but also the aerodynamics research centre ONERA.
The Aquitaine region, where many of these companies are located, also supports the Pre-X and Expert projects through a partnership signed last month with CNES.
