The “Annual Report 2018” of the International Space Exploration Coordination Group (ISECG) provides an overview of the ISECG achievements and activities over the past year.
The year 2018 started off with a major milestone for the ISECG, the publication of the updated version of the “Global Exploration Roadmap (GER)”. The document puts specific emphasis on the benefits from space exploration, e.g. the important role of the advancement of science and knowledge. The document takes into account the dynamic developments in international space exploration in recent years, highlights the value of the deep space Gateway concept, as well as the growing private sector interest in space exploration.
Throughout 2018, ISECG members pursued various activity lines, advancing the architectural and technology work as laid out in the GER. Amongst others, progress was achieved in
- The progressing formulation of the Gateway was taken into account and its key functions were integrated in architecture trades and analysis studies, amongst others introducing an approach to increase sustainability and a transition to a permanent lunar exploration scenario.
- ISECG members also significantly advanced the characterisation and assessment of critical technologies related to the GER mission scenario. This has allowed participating members to inform their technology investment planning to create synergies and maximise their readiness to play a critical and visible part in the exploration endeavour.
- The group also advanced detailed study activities to assess technology gaps in discipline areas that traditionally had not been examined on an international level. The gap assessment in the areas of ‘Autonomous Systems’ and ‘Telerobotic Control of Robotic Systems with Time Delay’ was completed, identifying, amongst others, opportunities to coordinate technology investments amongst members. A new study team was kicked off to assess technology gaps related to in-situ resource utilisation (ISRU).
Download the “ISECG Annual Report 2018”
For any further information please contact the ISECG secretariat: isecg@esa.int