The fourth edition of the Global Exploration Roadmap (GER) has been published, showcasing the collective vision and objectives of 27 space agencies for space exploration. This latest edition underscores international support for expanding humanity’s presence in the solar system, with a focus on low Earth orbit (LEO) activities and increasing efforts on and around the Moon, laying the groundwork for human exploration of Mars.
The GER presents a unified vision for space exploration through 2050, featuring key updates such as expanded consensus amongst the 27 participating space agencies, greater emphasis on contributions from emerging space agencies, and new examples highlighting the benefits of space exploration. It also acknowledges the growing interest and activities of the private sector and extends the planning horizon to 2050 with a focus on sustained exploration.
Reflecting common exploration objectives and shared principles, the roadmap emphasises the rapid evolution of worldwide exploration programmes, with more countries launching missions. The Moon remains the near-term priority for sustained exploration activities, with the roadmap incorporating recent updates to national exploration architectures that increasingly include international cooperation.
The GER is a valuable resource for understanding the current state and future direction of space exploration, providing a comprehensive overview of the vision, objectives, and benefits of this dynamic field.
Related Links
Brochure – Benefits stemming from space exploration (2nd edition, August 2024)
Feature – Global Exploration Roadmap advanced technologies
Feature – Scientific perspectives on exploration beyond LEO