A call for proposals from the European Space Agency is asking European industry to submit ideas for “small lunar missions.”
The call was published as a component of the agency’s Terrae Novae exploration programme, which seeks to establish a sustained European presence in low Earth orbit, send the first European astronaut to the Moon by 2030, and participate in the first human mission to Mars. These small exploration missions are a new component of the Terrae Novae strategy.
“They are intended to support the implementation of the Terrae Novae roadmap, focusing on closing technology gaps and expanding our scientific knowledge of both the Moon and Mars,” explains Xavier Barbier, ESA engineer leading the call.
Potential ideas can range from fly-by satellites and orbiters to landers and rovers. The only consistent requirement is that there is a focus on exploration and scientific activities.
Each mission will not be able to exceed a total budget of €50 million, and development from kickoff to launch should take less than four and half years. The agency explained that it would prefer companies or consortia that bid to be able to see the proposed mission through from inception to the implementation phase.
“This is an excellent opportunity for small and medium-sized companies to increase their role in the field of space exploration,” said Barbier. “Proposals can come from individual companies as well as from consortia including research institutions.”
To ensure companies can stay within this conservative budget, ESA may offer the use of established resources. These resources could include a piggyback ride aboard an Ariane 6 mission to make use of the full capacity of the launch vehicle or use of the agency’s planned Moonlight network for lunar communications and navigation services.
Companies or consortia looking to submit ideas are required to do so by 14 December 2023. Submissions will be evaluated in early 2023, and initial feasibility studies awarded in mid-2024.
