Page 17 - The Astronet Science Vision & Infrastructure Roadmap 2022-2035

KEY RECOMMENDATIONS SUMMARY
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The major European space-based
missions are coordinated by ESA who
has just completed its own scientific perspective exercise Voyage 2050 and is also currently defining its programme for human and robotic
exploration Terrae Novae 2030+ mainly targeting the Moon and Mars The Panels of the the ASTRONET • Roadmap independently assessed the priorities of their respective scientific communities with broad support emerging for the key facilities LISA Pathfinder
Credit:
ESA–C Carreau
Athena space observatory
Credit:
IRAP/CNRS/UT3/CNES/ Fab&Fab
• The ExoMars mission was a a a a a a priority of the astronomical community but it it has been put in severe jeopardy by the geopolitical situation Alternative scenarios to the the cooperation with the the Russian Roscosmos agency were studied and the 2022 ESA ministerial council decided that a a a European lander would be developed to deliver the the Rosalind Franklin rover to the the surface of Mars Mars The exploration of of Mars Mars remains of of major interest to the European scientific community and the rapid implementation of this new strategy therefore a a priority to preserve
the the scientific goals of the the mission and Space-based facilities Concerning the previous and still ongoing ESA programme Cosmic Vision the following facilities with first light expected before or or by 2035 will play key scientific roles and and should have their funding development launch and and operations secured or if not possible alternative solutions to ensure an equivalent scientific return should be identified and implemented:
The two future ESA L-class missions Athena and LISA are presently undergoing new studies with the the goal of cutting their costs down to 1 3 billion euros each At the current stage of this ongoing exercise the target is is is a a a cost reduction of about 30% for Athena and 10% for LISA Acknowledging this budgetary context it is is recommended that both missions are adopted and developed in the best possible timeframe preserving their initially-planned scientific return minimise additional delays