References

112. Annual Report, ESA, 1994, p. 30.
113. P.B. de Selding, "ESA Gets Plethora of Proposals", Space News, 21-27 June 1993, p. 6.
114. C. Covault, "New ESA Concepts To Advance Explorations, Aviation Week and Space Technology, 2 May 1994, pp. 22-23.
115. P.B. de Selding, "ESA To Narrow Field for Next Medium Science Mission", Space News, 2-8 May 1994, p. 20.
116. "ESA Space Group Narrows Medium Mission Proposals", Space News, 16-22 May 1994, p. 12.
Adapted from: Europe and Asia in Space 1993-1994, Nicholas Johnson and David Rodvold [Kaman Sciences / Air Force Phillips Laboratory]

M3 Mission

Candidate selection for the M3 mission narrowed considerably during 1993-1994, leaving only five proposals for Phase A development by the end of the period. Two of the five have solar system exploration objectives: InterMarsNet and MORO (Moon Orbiting Observatory). The InterMarsNet project calls for the deployment of several landers on Mars to monitor the environment and report back to Earth via an orbiter spacecraft. The project could become a broader international endeavor with participation by the US, the Russian Federation or other countries. MORO would be a 1,200-kg class spacecraft, possibly with a small subsatellite, given a primary mission of high resolution stereo imaging of the lunar surface. Another M3 proposal for a Mercury orbiter was dropped in 1994 but may be reconsidered under a different mission opportunity. The tentative launch date for M3, which should be chosen by 1996, is 2003 (References 112-116).

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Space

References

M3 Mission