Space Exploration

The course provides an overview of European activities in the field of astronautical and robotic exploration. In the context of ESA's exploration strategy "Terrae Novae", scientific goals for the exploration of the Moon and Mars, technological challenges, potential commercial opportunities in the field of exploration, as well as physiological aspects of long-term astronautical missions in low Earth orbit and beyond will be considered. The modules of the course cover the following topics: • Introduction to Space Exploration • European Exploration Strategy: TERRAE NOVAE • Earth-Moon Transportation Architectures • ISRU – Enabling sustainable space exploration • Earth`s Moon: the “planet next door” • Current Status of Mars Missions and Research • Commercialisation: ESA approach for stimulating the growth of an in-space economy • Medical Aspects of Long-term Spaceflight