Decisive choices for the future of European space exploration programmes will be made during the next meetings of the ESA ministerial council, in December 2005 and in 2008.

The continuation of the Aurora programme, as well as cooperation ventures with the U.S. and Russia will be decided on, setting the stage for the next 5 to 25 years. The Automated Transfer Vehicle, human space flight, robotic missions to Mars and niche technologies are amongst the elements of the overall programme that will be defined.

Budgets constraints, however, will be a limiting factor in the decision process.

They point to the lack of political support for space exploration in Europe.

Contrary to the U.S., manned exploration does not enjoy strong historical and cultural references in Europe. Moreover, past partnerships with NASA do not encourage new cooperative ventures.

The two main drivers for space exploration in Europe are rather the preservation of high-tech industry and jobs, as well as the continuation of a successful European scientific presence.

If an ambitious European space exploration programme is to be funded, a lobbying campaign targeting European decision-makers should be undertaken on the basis of these drivers.

Space exploration remains a responsibility of ESA. The involvement of the EU would be a political and budgetary bonus for space exploration. This poses in fine the question of the evolving relationship between the two entities.