Let's go to Mars

Enchantment of the Moon seems to fade. After the U.S. strike missions to the moon from an exploration target U.S. space agency (NASA), now the European Space Agency (ESA) also chose Mars not the Moon, in the list of priority plans for the next five years.

The decision on the mission to Mars was taken by the negotiations for 48 hours in Naples, Italy. In a meeting of the 20 European countries advocate ESA, it was agreed that a budget of U.S. $ 13 billion, Europe will be on a mission to Mars and upgrade the Ariane 5 carrier rocket weight becomes more flexible while awaiting the construction of a new generation rocket launcher, the Ariane 6, the the next decade.

America's Orion manned capsule
needs a propulsion unit to push
it through space. (Picture from:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/)

ESA will also work closely with the United States to develop a multipurpose crew vehicle NASA's Orion. "Very difficult negotiations, a lot of pressure and discussions into the night," said ESA Director General, Jean-Jacques Dordain, in a press conference after the meeting Wednesday (November 21, 2012).

"But compared to the previous talks, the meeting was a huge success, despite the difficult economic situation dogged."

Dordain announced that a modified version of the Ariane 5 is named Ariane 5 Midlife Evolution (ME). The rocket that could carry 11 tons of payload into a geostationary transfer orbit (GTO) will start operating in 2017. GTO is an orbit that allows the satellite remains on same location above the earth.

Ariane 5 is extremely reliable  
and accurate, but it is also 
costly to produce. (Picture from:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/)

The decision to continue the mission to Mars show that ESA retains its ambition to be a space explorer, although overshadowed by the financial crisis that hit some member countries. Mars is not the only target of the ESA. Ahead of the meeting for two days, actually Dordain busy garnering support for the passage of the ESA mission to the moon in 2020.

Although he hopes to get more funding for the agency, Dordain stated U.S. $ 13 billion is the amount that is quite realistic and in line with previous commitments. With the economic conditions faced by the European Union, the choice of space exploration targets for the next 4 years is not much.

Although equivalent to NASA and managed independently by the EU, ESA remains influenced by political interests of its member countries, among others, over the selection of a name for the new ESA rocket. German delegation proposed missile named Advanced European Next Generation Launcher, which shortened the name Angela-like German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

At this time, the system of two-stage rocket to launch a satellite into orbit as payload is the biggest money ESA. Ariane 5 vehicle proved to be one of the most reliable and commercially successful.

But Ariane face stiff competition from Brazil, India, and China. Ariane also have to take into account the private companies like SpaceX from the United States or Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic cargo are also developing a heavy carrier rocket.

Next-generation heavy-lift rockets. (Picture from: http://engtechmag.wordpress.com/)

Last week, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SpaceX, Elon Musk, said that the ESA should replace the Ariane 5 rocket if it wants to compete with his company's rocket (Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy) . Musk said the Falcon 9 will easily win the contract previously held the European rocket. "Ariane has no chance," he said.

Modification of the Ariane 5 rocket was proposed by Germany. State recommends that the rocket was modified by cryogenic booster engine that could give extra propulsion on Ariane ME. With this extra power, the rocket was able to carry heavier payloads.

In contrast to the suggestion Germany, France and Italy want a new rocket with payload capacity more flexible. Discussions during the two days it turned out to be won by Germany. Ariane ME is expected to begin serving the delivery order satellites into Earth orbit in 2017. While the future of vehicle particulars French proposal will be decided in the next meeting in 2014. *** [SCIENCEMAG | BBC | SPACE X | TJANDRA DEWI | KORAN TEMPO 4067]

Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone.