On March 12 and 13, 2020, senior\nmanagers representing 17 space agencies gathered virtually for a meeting of the\nInternational Space Exploration Coordination Group (ISECG) with the purpose of\npromoting coordinated efforts toward human and robotic space exploration on and\naround the Moon and Mars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The senior managers affirmed the\nimportance of international cooperation and planning coordination to advance agency\ngoals in space exploration. In support of these goals, the organisations are\ndeveloping a new collaborative product, the \u201cGlobal Exploration Roadmap\nSupplement \u2013 Lunar Surface Exploration Scenario Update (2020)\u201d to highlight advances\nin lunar exploration planning in the international space community since the\nrelease of the third edition of the Global Exploration Roadmap in January 2018.\nThis Supplement represents a broad international consensus on sustained\noperations on and around the Moon which will directly contribute to further knowledge\nand develop a sustainable economic sphere, and also prepare for human missions\nto Mars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The senior managers acknowledged\nseveral major updates in agency plans for lunar exploration, including plans to\nreturn humans to the lunar surface in 2024, lunar Gateway, sustained lunar\nsurface presence, and a series of planned robotic missions. These activities\nare critical to facilitating scientific discovery, supporting human mission\noperations, and enabling future deep space exploration. The agencies also noted\nthe growing number of private sector initiatives and proposals for commercial\nactivities in the lunar environment, and the significant potential that these\ncapabilities represent for enabling sustainable lunar activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Recognizing the growing global\ninterest in exploration of the Moon and Mars, ISECG agencies have welcomed\nseven new members since January 2018: the Australian Space Agency, Luxembourg\nSpace Agency, Norwegian Space Agency, Polish Space Agency, Romanian Space\nAgency, Swiss Space Office, and Vietnam National Space Center. The Supplement\nwill include an introduction of the space exploration priorities for these new\nISECG agencies and incorporate planned activities into the updated ISECG lunar surface\nexploration scenario.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The senior managers plan to meet\nagain ahead of the International Astronautical Congress in the United Arab\nEmirates in October 2020.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This virtual meeting included\nrepresentatives from the Australian Space Agency, Italian Space Agency, French\nCentre National d\u2019Etudes Spatiales, China National Space Administration, Canadian\nSpace Agency, European Space Agency, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Indian\nSpace Research Organisation, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, Korea\nAerospace Research Institute, Luxembourg Space Agency, Norwegian Space Agency, National\nAeronautics and Space Administration, Polish Space Agency, Romanian Space\nAgency, U.K. Space Agency, and the Vietnam\nNational Space Center.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
On March 12 and 13, 2020, senior managers representing 17 space agencies gathered virtually for a meeting of the International Space Exploration<\/p>\n