TheAurora programme (sometimes calledAurora Exploration Programme, or simplyExploration Programme) was ahuman spaceflight programme of theEuropean Space Agency (ESA) established in 2001. The objective was to formulate and then to implement a European long-term plan forexploration of theSolar System usingrobotic spacecraft andhuman spaceflight to investigate bodies holding promise for traces oflife beyond the Earth.[2][3] The Aurora programme is no longer active. TheTerrae Novae programme, established in 2010s, took over the Aurora'sExoMars programme as well as ESA's long-term deep-spacehuman spaceflight ambitions.[4]
Member states committed to participation in the Aurora programme for five-year periods, after which they can change their level of participation or pull out entirely. In the early years the Aurora programme planned for flagship missions and arrow missions for key technology demonstrations, such as Earth re-entry vehicle/capsule and Mars aerocapture demonstrator. Although human spaceflight has remained a long-term goal of the programme, with some basic technology development in this area, the thrust has been on implementation of theExoMars mission and preparations for an internationalMars sample return mission.[2]
"The objective of the Aurora Programme is first to formulate and then to implement a European long-term plan for the robotic and human exploration of solar system bodies holding promise for traces of life."
— ESA[5]
The Aurora programme was a response to Europe's Strategy for space which was endorsed byEuropean Union Council of Research and the ESA Council.[6] Europe strategy for space had three main points including: "explore the solar system and the Universe", "stimulate new technology", and "inspire the young people of Europe to take a greater interest in science and technology".[6] One of the foundational principles of the Aurora program was recognising the interdependence of technology and exploration.[6][1]
ESA described some Aurora programme missions as Flagship missions. The first Flagship mission wasExoMars, a dual robotic mission toMars made in cooperation with theRoscosmos. It involved a Mars orbiter (ExoMarsTrace Gas Orbiter), a technology demonstratordescent module (Schiaparelli lander), and theRosalind Franklin rover.[7]
The only mission launched under the Aurora programme was:
Flagship missions considered for the Aurora programme included:
Arrow missions were proposedtechnology demonstrator missions focused on developing a certain technology needed for the Flagship missions. No Arrow mision was launched. Approved Arrow missions, as of 30 January 2003 were:[11]
As of September 2005, the proposed Aurora roadmap was:[12]
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