The European Space Agency (ESA) have released their ‘Technology 2040 Vision’ document. With an understanding that space exploration is essential for the advancement of humanity through technological innovation, resource location and global collaboration, the vision points towards a circular and sustainable space economy, aiming for zero-debris missions, where high-speed vehicles operate in Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO) using remote sensing capabilities and large structures are assembled in the vacuum of space using in-orbit self-assembly techniques.
Human and robotic missions to the Moon and Mars will open up new frontiers and uncover valuable resources while asteroids and comet bodies will be mined so their materials can reveal the history of the Solar System.
ESA’s 2040 vision sees the Solar System connect through a robust internet to enable seamless communication between satellites, distant spacecraft and the Earth. New satellites will be designed to ensure environmental protection, minimising the impact on the Earth’s ecosphere through the management of all stages of their life cycle.
Modern, energy efficient solar power systems will assist in deep space travel and ensure sustainability in the harshest environments, with human habitats in orbit, on the Moon, and on Mars designed to be self-sustaining – enabled by advanced life-support technologies that allow humanity to thrive beyond Earth.
In order to achieve this, the Technology 2040 Vision highlights five areas of innovation:
- Planetary and Celestial Body Exploration
- A Technology Revolution on Earth for Space
- Near Earth and Deep Space Travel and Communication
- Sustainable Space
- Focus Technologies
Each of these areas of innovation contains a series of ‘visions’ that push towards the ESA’s goals of leading innovation and sustainability in the space sector and supports the ESA Strategy 2040. As space moves from being a frontier to becoming a territory with its own resources, markets and scientific breakthroughs.
The Technology Vision 2040 outlines the critical technologies that will provide strategic autonomy in space through the use of advanced materials and manufacturing, resilient infrastructure technologies, artificial intelligence, and more.
To achieve this we need collaborative input from industry, academia and national space agencies, all pulling together to ensure European capabilities are aligned to a unified goal.
You can see the ESA Technology Vision 2040, in full here:
https://esamultimedia.esa.int/docs/technology/Technology_2040.pdf