Member states committed to participation in the Aurora programme for five-year periods, after which they can change their level of participation or pull out entirely. In the early years the Aurora programme planned for flagship missions and arrow missions for key technology demonstrations, such as Earth re-entry vehicle/capsule and Mars aerocapture demonstrator. Although human spaceflight has remained a long-term goal of the programme, with some basic technology development in this area, the thrust has been on implementation of the ExoMars mission and preparations for an international Mars sample return mission.4
The objective of the Aurora Programme is first to formulate and then to implement a European long-term plan for the robotic and human exploration of solar system bodies holding promise for traces of life. — ESA5
The objective of the Aurora Programme is first to formulate and then to implement a European long-term plan for the robotic and human exploration of solar system bodies holding promise for traces of life.
The Aurora programme was a response to Europe's Strategy for space which was endorsed by European Union Council of Research and the ESA Council.6 Europe strategy for space had three main points including: "explore the solar system and the Universe", "stimulate new technology", and "inspire the young people of Europe to take a greater interest in science and technology".7 One of the foundational principles of the Aurora program was recognising the interdependence of technology and exploration.89
The first decade is planned to focus on robotic missions.
ESA described some Aurora programme missions as "Flagship" missions. The first Flagship mission was ExoMars, a dual robotic mission to Mars made in cooperation with the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roskosmos). It involved a Mars orbiter (ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter), a technology demonstrator descent module (Schiaparelli lander), and the Rosalind Franklin rover.10
Flagship missions considered for the Aurora programme included:
Arrow missions were technology demonstrator missions focused on developing a certain technology needed for the Flagship missions. Approved Arrow missions, as of 30 January 2003:
See also: Schiaparelli EDM lander
The proposed Aurora roadmap, as of 30 September 2005:12
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"Assessing Aurora". Astrobiology Magazine. April 7, 2007. Archived from the original on 2021-02-25. Retrieved 2015-04-04. https://web.archive.org/web/20210225080838/https://www.astrobio.net/moon-to-mars/assessing-aurora/ ↩
"The European Space Exploration Programme Aurora". www.esa.int. Retrieved 2025-03-03. https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Human_and_Robotic_Exploration/Exploration/The_European_Space_Exploration_Programme_Aurora ↩
"The European Space Exploration Programme Aurora". www.esa.int. https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Human_and_Robotic_Exploration/Exploration/The_European_Space_Exploration_Programme_Aurora ↩
"Aurora's origins". www.esa.int. https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Human_and_Robotic_Exploration/Exploration/Aurora_s_origins ↩
"Liftoff for Aurora: Europe's first steps to Mars, the Moon and beyond". www.esa.int. https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Human_and_Robotic_Exploration/Exploration/Liftoff_for_Aurora_Europe_s_first_steps_to_Mars_the_Moon_and_beyond ↩
"ExoMars". ESA. http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Aurora/SEM1NVZKQAD_0.html ↩
Foust, Jeff (2024-04-10). "ESA awards contract to Thales Alenia Space to restart ExoMars". SpaceNews. Retrieved 2025-03-03. https://spacenews.com/esa-awards-contract-to-thales-alenia-space-to-restart-exomars/ ↩
"Aurora's roadmap to Mars / Exploration / Human Spaceflight / Our Activities / ESA". European Space Agency. 2003-12-19. Retrieved 2013-04-09. http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEMXZY274OD_index_0.html ↩
"Case study ExoMars". UK Government Space Agency. 3 July 2014. Retrieved 17 June 2015. https://www.gov.uk/government/case-studies/exomars ↩