By 
November 28th, 2019
Credit: ESA
The European Space Agency’s (ESA) Council at Ministerial Level, Space19+, has concluded in Seville, Spain.
For the first time in 25 years, there will be a significant boost in funding for ESA’s world-class science program and stresses that the Program will also address requirements for
developing in-situ resource utilization on the Moon.
Among spotlighted ESA activities:
Gateway
Credit: NASA
A continuation of commitment to the International Space Station until 2030.
Contributing vital transportation and habitation modules for the Gateway, the first space station to orbit the Moon.
Begin the process of recruiting a new class of astronauts to continue European exploration in low Earth orbit and beyond. European astronauts will fly to the Moon for the first time.
Member States have confirmed European support for a ground-breaking Mars Sample Return mission, in cooperation with NASA.
ESA’s Space Rider.
Credit: ESA
A green light has been given to Space Rider, ESA’s new reusable spaceship.
Adoption of Space Safety as a new basic pillar of ESA’s activities that includes removal of dangerous debris and plans for automation of space traffic control – and early warnings and mitigation of damage to Earth from hazards from space such as asteroids and solar flares. The Hera mission marks a joint collaboration with NASA to test asteroid deflection capabilities.
ESA has 22 Member States: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, of which 20 are Member States of the EU.
For more details on United Space in Europe, go to:
For an interview with ESA Director General Jan Wörner following the conclusion of Space19+, the ESA Council at Ministerial Level, held in Seville, Spain, November 27-28. He calls it the “European New Space Agency.” Go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=7&v=HcFWOF7uNuY&feature=emb_logo
Posted in Space News
