The European Space Agency (ESA) has released the ‘Technology 2040 Vision’ document, outlining five areas of innovation including, ‘Planetary and Celestial Body Exploration.’
This area of innovation includes three distinct ‘visions’ along with their associated challenges, benefits and applications, as summarised, here:
- Astro Architecture: Pioneering Large Space Structures
This vision pictures large space structures no longer being bound by the limitations of launch vehicles. Instead, structures are unfolded or manufactured in orbit or on the surfaces of bodies like the Moon or Mars. This would widen the scope of space activities; allowing for the use of arrays of giant antennae or lenses to survey the Universe like never before and the building of in-space habitats that resemble towns rather than the more limited scope of today’s International Space Station.
This vision extends current in-orbit manufacturing, assembly and deployment capabilities to provide the on-demand production of spacecraft structures. Tailored solutions to suit specific mission requirements would deliver customisation and flexibility alongside reduced development times and cost.
Removing the need for multiple launches and space walks to create large structure, this advancement can be applied to a broad range of applications, including orbital antennas and lightweight telescopes to novel modular architectures for solar arrays or thermal management systems, optical and radio frequency antennas, and extensive infrastructure for orbital or surface exploration.
- Pioneering New Ground: In-Situ Surface Exploration and Capabilities
This vision has a robotic or human presence established on many sites across the Solar System, from the Moon and Mars to comets, asteroids, and out to the moons of Jupiter. In-situ resources allow for the expansion of surface infrastructure while samples are gathered from scientifically or economically active locations for further study on Earth.
Missions are already underway to unlock scientific secrets and locate usable resources on the Moon and Mars, which will help establish self-sufficiency in the future. In order to achieve the goal of ‘living off the land,’ novel technologies will be required to prospect for resources while withstanding extreme temperature, radiation and dust exposure. At this level, robotic systems for moving and navigating autonomously would be coupled with in-situ sample processing and analysis solutions, but greater aims involve more complex challenges still. Long-term human habitats would require oxygen and resource extraction, reliable energy, communications, and more. However, extensive terrestrial testing will help validate these systems to create a new vision for surface exploration and in-situ capabilities, ahead of them being used at their target environment.
- Space Oases: Autonomous Habitats Beyond Earth
This third vision sees humans dwelling in plentiful habitats in the Earth’s orbit as well as on the Moon, on Mars, and further afield. These resilient, self-sustaining habitats have efficient resource management, closed-loop life support systems, smart materials, in-situ manufacturing and resource utilisation, allowing the inhabitants to not just survive, but to thrive.
This vision may seem far away at the moment, given that human habitation in space has so far been limited to comparatively short durations on orbital stations in low-Earth orbit or crewed surface exploration of the Moon lasting just a few days at most. These habitats are reliant on regular resupplies of air, water, food and propellant from Earth.
Achieving independence from Earth will require the creation of more permanent infrastructure, advanced life support systems, innovative energy sources and the utilisation of local resources. Coupling the circular management of resources with high-velocity logistics will allow for longer stays farther from Earth. Of course, any settlements must operate without damaging the extraterrestrial environment, but there are sure to be plenty of opportunities for innovation – from radiation shielding materials, advanced sensors, medical systems, extra-vehicular support equipment, and more.
You can find out more about ESA’s ‘Technology 2040 Vision’ here:
https://www.esa-technology-broker.co.uk/news/2025/esas-technology-2040-vision
You can see the ESA Technology Vision 2040, in full here:
https://esamultimedia.esa.int/docs/technology/Technology_2040.pdf