A review of the long-term options for space exploration and utilisation

ESA's Long-Term Space Policy Committee (LSPC) has underlined the need for E urope to think ahead and establish a vision for its future space activities with a 30-year horizon. The goal is to identify promising opportunities, a nd to establish in Europe the key capabilities and critical technologies re quired for the exploration and utilisation of space over the next three dec ades. Studies and discussions have focused on the Earth-Moon system, Mars, near-Earth asteroids and comets. Scientific motivations are an important as pect in all potential space exploration and utilisation activities, but eco nomic, commercial and technological issues are paramount in addressing cent ral questions such as the preparatory efforts required and the potential be nefits.