Astronomy:Terrae Novae

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Short description: European Space Agency programme for human spaceflight and robotic space exploration
Argonaut lander on the Moon

Terrae Novae (Latin for 'New Worlds'), also known as European Exploration Envelope Programme (E3P) and Human and Robotic Exploration programme, is an optional programme of the European Space Agency (ESA)[1] responsible for developing and operating human spaceflight and related robotic space exploration missions to three space destinations: Low Earth orbit (LEO), the Moon, and Mars.[2][3][4][5][6][7]

History

In 2014, the ESA ministerial council adopted the "Resolution on Europe's space exploration strategy" addressing the three exploration destinations (LEO, the Moon, and Mars).[8][9][10][11] In response to this document, ESA established the European Exploration Envelope Programme (E3P) in 2016 to bring together all the agency's space exploration activities focused on these destinations in a single programme.[12][13][7][14] By incorporating the ExoMars programme as well as ESA's long-term human spaceflight ambitions, E3P effectively superseded the 2000s' Aurora programme.[15]

The programme was renamed Terrae Novae in 2021[7] and in 2022, the agency published the detailed "Terrae Novae 2030+ Strategy Roadmap".[7][3] The 2022 ESA ministerial council approved €2.7 billion for the next phase of Terrae Novae, including the Argonaut, a large robotic lunar lander.[16][17] In 2023, the programme launched a call for proposals for small missions focused on lunar exploration.[18][19][20]

During the 2020s, the Terrae Novae programme started developing two major space infrastructure projects for long term, sustainable robotic exploration of the Moon and Mars. The Argonaut landers will deliver heavy payloads to the lunar surface.[21] The LightShip interplanetary space tugs equipped with solar electric propulsion will deliver other spacecraft to Mars and then serve as communication, navigation, and weather satellites within the MARCONI constellation in high Mars orbit.[22] Additionally, the optional Advanced Research in Telecommunication Systems (ARTES) programme (not part of Terrae Novae) started developing the Moonlight Initiative intended to place a constellation of communication and navigation satellites around the Moon.[23]

In 2025, the programme included the European contribution to the International Space Station (ISS) with European astronauts joining both long term ISS expeditions and short commercial missions, the European Service Module (ESM) of NASA's lunar Orion spacecraft, and the uncrewed astrobiology-focused Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO) studying the atmosphere of Mars,[24][2] as well as development of numerous future missions, spacecraft, and technologies.[25][26][27][28][29][30] At the ESA ministerial council in November 2025, the member states committed €2.9 billion for the programme, 20% less than the previously projected €3.7 billion.[31]

At the International Space Summit in September 2026, ESA awarded a LEO Cargo Return Service contract to The Exploration Company for up to three space station resupply flights of its Nyx reusable spacecraft, expected to launch for the first time on Ariane 6 no later than 2029.[32][33] Also at the event, ESA deepened its relationship with three space station companies, Vast, Axiom Space, and Starlab Space, with agreements for another ISS flight and potential future utilization of their planned commercial space stations.[34][35][36][37][38]

At the summit, ESA member states signed a document expressing their interest in continuing human spaceflight to low Earth orbit after the expected decommissioning of ISS and calling on ESA to study options for strengthening European autonomy in this area, to be discussed at the upcoming Intermediate Ministerial Meeting in December 2026.[39] During 2026, ESA was investigating two general scenarios for the post-ISS future: utilizing commercial space stations under development eg. by Axiom Space, Starlab, and Vast, or developing a European-led space station based on existing European human spaceflight heritage like Columbus and ESM. To study the feasibility of the latter option, ESA awarded two contracts to Airbus Defence and Space and OHB in September 2026.[40][41][42][43]

Programmes and missions

Columbus module
Artemis I: Orion and ESM near the Moon
Model of Rosalind Franklin rover

Low Earth Orbit

Moon

Small Missions for Lunar Exploration

Mars

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Terrae Novae: from inspiring Europe's generations to supporting its economic growth". https://space-economy.esa.int/article/168/terrae-novae-from-inspiring-europes-generations-to-supporting-its-economic-growth. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Terrae Novae: Europe's exploration vision" (in en). https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Human_and_Robotic_Exploration/Exploration/Terrae_Novae_Europe_s_exploration_vision. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Europe's Terrae Novae 2030+ Strategic Plan - New Space Economy" (in en-US). 2022-08-07. https://newspaceeconomy.ca/2022/08/07/europes-terrae-novae-2030-strategic-plan/. 
  4. ↑ Patrascu, Daniel (2023-05-26). "Terrae Novae Plan Shows How Important Europe Is for America's Space Expansion Strategy" (in en). https://www.autoevolution.com/news/terrae-novae-plan-shows-how-important-europe-is-for-america-s-space-expansion-strategy-215449.html. 
  5. ↑ "European Space Agency displays its ambitions for the 2030s" (in en). 2022-07-10. https://www.lemonde.fr/en/science/article/2022/07/10/the-european-space-agency-displays-its-ambitions-for-the-2030s_5989685_10.html. 
  6. ↑ "Space Exploration Technology Roadmap" (in en). https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/space-exploration-technology-roadmap/space-exploration-technology-roadmap--3. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 Terrae Novae 2030+ Strategy Roadmap
  8. ↑ "ESA outlines future space projects - ADS Advance". https://www.adsadvance.co.uk/esa-outlines-future-space-projects.html. 
  9. ↑ "Introducing ESA's Space Exploration Strategy – the International Space Exploration Coordination Group" (in en-US). 2015-05-22. https://www.globalspaceexploration.org/?p=629. 
  10. ↑ "Media backgrounder for ESA Council at Ministerial Level" (in en). https://www.esa.int/About_Us/Ministerial_Council_2014/Media_backgrounder_for_ESA_Council_at_Ministerial_Level. 
  11. ↑ "We explore. You benefit.". https://youbenefit.spaceflight.esa.int/esa-space-exploration-strategy/. 
  12. ↑ "Europe at the Space Frontier – ESA's Vision for Space Exploration". https://www.aerosociety.com/news/europe-at-the-space-frontier-esa-s-vision-for-space-exploration/. 
  13. ↑ "A milestone in securing ESA's future role in the global exploration of space". SpaceRef. 15 June 2018. https://spacenews.com/a-milestone-in-securing-esaaeurs-future-role-in-the-global-exploration-of-space/. 
  14. ↑ "Germany invests 3.3 billion euro in European space exploration and becomes ESA's largest contributor". http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Germany_invests_3_3_billion_euro_in_European_space_exploration_and_becomes_ESAs_largest_contributor_999.html. 
  15. ↑ "The European Space Exploration Programme Aurora" (in en). https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Human_and_Robotic_Exploration/Exploration/The_European_Space_Exploration_Programme_Aurora. 
  16. ↑ "Ministers back ESA's bold ambitions for space with record 17% rise" (in en). https://www.esa.int/About_Us/Corporate_news/Ministers_back_ESA_s_bold_ambitions_for_space_with_record_17_rise. 
  17. ↑ Isabelle (2022-11-24). "Les principales annonces du Conseil Ministériel de l'ESA 2022" (in fr-FR). https://reves-d-espace.com/principales-annonces-du-conseil-ministeriel-esa-2022/. 
  18. ↑ "Next stop Moon: ESA's exploration program Terrae Novae has launched a call for ideas - Finland has a broad opportunity for participation - Finnish Government" (in en-US). https://valtioneuvosto.fi/en/-/60305973/next-stop-moon-esa-s-exploration-program-terrae-novae-has-launched-a-call-for-ideas-finland-has-a-broad-opportunity-for-participation. 
  19. ↑ SpaceRef (2023-09-29). "ESA Seeks Ideas For Small Lunar Missions" (in en-US). https://spacenews.com/esa-seeks-ideas-for-small-lunar-missions/. 
  20. ↑ Parsonson, Andrew (2023-09-29). "ESA Calls for Small Moon Mission Ideas" (in en-US). https://europeanspaceflight.com/esa-calls-for-small-moon-mission-ideas/. 
  21. ↑ Parsonson, Andrew (31 January 2025). "ESA Awards €862M Argonaut Moon Lander Contract to Thales Alenia Space" (in en-US). https://europeanspaceflight.com/esa-awards-thales-alenia-space-e862m-argonaut-moon-lander-contract/. 
  22. ↑ B, Emily (18 August 2025). "ESA Increases Mars Ambitions with Mars Transportation Infrastructure" (in en-US). https://www.spacescout.info/2025/08/esa-increases-mars-ambitions-with-mars-transportation-infrastructure/. 
  23. ↑ Parsonson, Andrew (13 March 2025). "Thales Alenia Space to Build ESA Moonlight Satellites for Telespazio" (in en-US). https://europeanspaceflight.com/thales-alenia-space-to-build-esa-moonlight-satellites-for-telespazio/. 
  24. ↑ TERRAE NOVAE PROGRAMME
  25. ↑ "TERRAE NOVAE: Preparing for ESA Council at Ministerial level 2025". https://latviaspace.gov.lv/images/userfiles/CM25/06a_CM25_Industry_Event_Preparing_for_CM25.pdf. 
  26. ↑ Parsonson, Andrew (2024-10-18). "ESA Publishes Call for Telescope on the Far Side of the Moon" (in en-US). https://europeanspaceflight.com/esa-publishes-call-for-telescope-on-the-far-side-of-the-moon/. 
  27. ↑ Parsonson, Andrew (2024-02-29). "ESA to Begin Work on Mars Transfer Vehicle Mission Concept" (in en-US). https://europeanspaceflight.com/esa-to-begin-work-on-mars-transfer-vehicle-mission-concept/. 
  28. ↑ Garay, Jorge (2025-11-20). "El módulo Argonaut es la apuesta de Europa en la batalla por la Luna" (in es-MX). WIRED. https://es.wired.com/articulos/el-modulo-argonaut-es-la-apuesta-de-europa-en-la-batalla-por-la-luna. Retrieved 2025-11-22. 
  29. ↑ Gutierrez, Peter (2023-10-04). "ESA Wants New Moon Missions to use Moonlight PNT Services" (in en-US). https://insidegnss.com/esa-wants-new-moon-missions-to-use-moonlight-pnt-services/. 
  30. ↑ "Europe wants to make space food out of thin air and astronaut pee" (in en). 2025-11-09. https://www.space.com/space-exploration/human-spaceflight/europe-wants-to-make-space-food-out-of-thin-air-and-astronaut-pee. 
  31. ↑ Parsonson, Andrew (2025-11-27). "Exploration and the UK Emerge as the Biggest Losers of CM25" (in en-US). https://europeanspaceflight.com/exploration-and-the-uk-emerge-as-the-biggest-losers-of-cm25/. 
  32. ↑ Parsonson, Andrew (2026-09-10). "ESA Awards The Exploration Company a €760M Space Station Cargo Contract" (in en-US). https://europeanspaceflight.com/esa-awards-the-exploration-company-a-e760m-space-station-cargo-contract/. 
  33. ↑ Parsonson, Andrew (2026-09-10). "The Exploration Company Books Ariane 6 Flight for Nyx Demo Mission" (in en-US). https://europeanspaceflight.com/the-exploration-company-books-ariane-6-flight-for-nyx-demo-mission/. 
  34. ↑ Gorman, Douglas (2026-09-11). "International Space Summit Highlights the Strength of Europe’s Space Ecosystem" (in en-US). https://payloadspace.com/international-space-summit-highlights-the-strength-of-europes-space-ecosystem/. 
  35. ↑ Aeroespacial, Actualidad (2026-09-14). "La ESA abre nuevas vías de cooperación con Starlab y Axiom Space para la era posterior a la ISS" (in es). https://actualidadaeroespacial.com/la-esa-abre-nuevas-vias-de-cooperacion-con-starlab-y-axiom-space-para-la-era-posterior-a-la-iss/. 
  36. ↑ "ESA and Axiom Space strengthen cooperation for the post-ISS era" (in en). https://www.esa.int/Newsroom/Press_Releases/ESA_and_Axiom_Space_strengthen_cooperation_for_the_post-ISS_era. 
  37. ↑ "ESA and Starlab sign a Letter of Intent related to the post-ISS era" (in en). https://www.esa.int/Newsroom/Press_Releases/ESA_and_Starlab_sign_a_Letter_of_Intent_related_to_the_post-ISS_era. 
  38. ↑ Foust, Jeff (2026-09-10). "Greek astronaut to fly on Vast private mission to ISS" (in en-US). https://spacenews.com/greek-astronaut-to-fly-on-vast-private-mission-to-iss/. 
  39. ↑ "A Call to Boost European Space Exploration." (in en). 2026-09-10. https://www.elysee.fr/en/emmanuel-macron/2026/09/10/a-call-to-boost-european-space-exploration. 
  40. ↑ Parsonson, Andrew (2026-09-30). "ESA Selects Airbus and OHB to Lead European Space Station Studies" (in en-US). https://europeanspaceflight.com/esa-selects-airbus-and-ohb-to-lead-european-space-station-studies/. 
  41. ↑ "ESA investigates potential future European-led orbital outpost" (in en). https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Human_and_Robotic_Exploration/ESA_investigates_potential_future_European-led_orbital_outpost. 
  42. ↑ Parsonson, Andrew (2026-09-29). "ESA announces leaders for studies on crewed European space stations" (in en-US). https://spacenews.com/esa-announces-leaders-for-studies-on-crewed-european-space-stations/. 
  43. ↑ "Shaping Europe’s future in low Earth orbit" (in en). https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Human_and_Robotic_Exploration/Shaping_Europe_s_future_in_low_Earth_orbit. 



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