Planetary Exploration Horizon 2061 Report, Chapter 3: From science questions to Solar System exploration

This chapter of the Planetary Exploration Horizon 2061 Report reviews the way the six key questions about planetary systems, from their origins to the way they work and their habitability, identified in chapter 1, can be addressed by means of solar system exploration, and how one can find partial answers to these six questions by flying to the different provinces to the solar system: terrestrial planets, giant planets, small bodies, and up to its interface with the local interstellar medium. It derives from this analysis a synthetic description of the most important space observations to be performed at the different solar system objects by future planetary exploration missions. These observation requirements illustrate the diversity of measurement techniques to be used as well as the diversity of destinations where these observations must be made. They constitute the base for the identification of the future planetary missions we need to fly by 2061, which are described in chapter 4. Q1- How well do we understand the diversity of planetary systems objects? Q2- How well do we understand the diversity of planetary system architectures? Q3- What are the origins and formation scenarios for planetary systems? Q4- How do planetary systems work? Q5- Do planetary systems host potential habitats? Q6- Where and how to search for life?Comment: 107 pages, 37 figures, Horizon 2061 is a science-driven, foresight exercise, for future scientific investigation

Large-strain deformation and strain partitioning in polyphase rocks: Dislocation creep of olivine magnesiowüstite aggregates

International audienceAggregates composed of olivine and magnesiowüstite have been deformed to large strains at high pressure and temperature to investigate stress and strain partitioning, phase segregation and possible localization of deformation in a polyphase material. Samples with 20 vol.% of natural olivine and 80 vol.% of (Mg0.7Fe0.3)O were synthesized and deformed in a gas-medium torsion apparatus at temperatures of 1127 °C and 1250 °C, a confining pressure of 300 MPa and constant angular displacement rates equivalent to constant shear strain rates of 1 3.3 × 10? 4 s? 1. The samples deformed homogeneously to total shear strains of up to ? ? 15. During constant strain rate measurements the flow stress remained approximately stable at 1250 °C while it progressively decreased after the initial yield stress at the lower temperature. Mechanical data, microstructures and textures indicate that both phases were deforming in the dislocation creep regime. The weaker component, magnesiowüstite, controlled the rheological behavior of the bulk material and accommodated most of the strain. Deformation and dynamic recrystallization lead to grain refinement and to textures that were not previously observed in pure magnesiowüstite and may have developed due to the presence of the second phase. At 1127 °C, olivine grains behaved as semi-rigid inclusions rotating in a viscous matrix. At 1250 °C, some olivine grains remained largely undeformed while deformation and recrystallization of other grains oriented for a-slip on (010) resulted in a weak foliation and a texture typical for pure dry olivine aggregates. Both a-slip and c-slip on (010) were activated in olivine even though the nominal stresses were up to 2 orders of magnitude lower than those needed to activate these slip systems in pure olivine at the same conditions

IAA Cosmic Study: Dynamics of space exploration: a final update

The International Academy of Astronautics (IAA) Cosmic Study “Dynamics of Space Exploration and Outlook” aims at presenting a comprehensive space policy report on the domain of space exploration. The proposed vision for space exploration is bold, collective, holistic, paved with attainable milestones shared by the stakeholders and conceived in a sustainable manner. This new challenge relies on a sense of common commitment towards an integrated international effort. Such a shared space vision could be implemented via an International Space Exploration Council acting as an efficient planning and decision-making body. This Council would include high- level government officials, space agencies, space entrepreneurial entities, and representatives of the space industry, the scientific community and the civilian society from all spacefaring countries. Under this scheme, the Council would act as a top-down structure supported by bottom-up activities involving science/technology analysis and space architecture working groups. In this study we identify challenges and opportunities where the different space stakeholders can line up on a national and/or international basis. Particular attention is given to maximize as much as possible an integrated and collective approach, as well as to prevent, through appropriate mechanisms (typically a fail-safe approach), a defaulting partnership that could jeopardize the overall progress of a common undertaking. The role of the considered Council in reconciling the interests of “individual” countries and private pursuits is also discussed A progress report of this Cosmic Study was presented at the Heads of space agencies Summit in Washington DC in January 2014. A preview of the final conclusion and recommendations which incorporate 2014 up to summer 2015 updates on the changing space exploration context, sciences drivers for exploration, dynamics of explor tion, legal and policy regime for exploration, and emerging challenges and opportunities is presented in thisbvpaper

IAA Cosmic Studies, Dynamics of Space Exploration: a final update

The International Academy of Astronautics (IAA) Cosmic Study “Dynamics of Space Exploration and Outlook” aims at presenting a comprehensive space policy report on the domain of space exploration. The proposed vision for space exploration is bold, collective, holistic, paved with attainable milestones shared by the stakeholders and conceived in a sustainable manner. This new challenge relies on a sense of common commitment towards an integrated international effort. Such a shared space vision could be implemented via an International Space Exploration Council acting as an efficient planning and decision-making body. This Council would include high-level government officials, space agencies, space entrepreneurial entities, and representatives of the space industry, the scientific community and the civilian society from all spacefaring countries. Under this scheme, the Council would act as a top-down structure supported by bottom-up activities involving science/technology analysis and space architecture working groups. In this study we identify challenges and opportunities where the different space stakeholders can line up on a national and/or international basis. Particular attention is given to maximize as much as possible an integrated and collective approach, as well as to prevent, through appropriate mechanisms (typically a fail-safe approach), a defaulting partnership that could jeopardize the overall progress of a common undertaking. The role of the considered Council in reconciling the interests of “individual” countries and private pursuits is also discussed A progress report of this Cosmic Study was presented at the Heads of space agencies Summit in Washington DC in January 2014. A preview of the final conclusion and recommendations which incorporate 2014 up to summer 2015 updates on the changing space exploration context, sciences drivers for exploration, dynamics of exploration, legal and policy regime for exploration, and emerging challenges and opportunities is presented in this paper

Toward a global space exploration program: a stepping stone approach

In response to the growing importance of space exploration in future planning, the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) Panel on Exploration (PEX) was chartered to provide independent scientific advice to support the development of exploration programs and to safeguard the potential scientific assets of solar system objects. In this report, PEX elaborates a stepwise approach to achieve a new level of space cooperation that can help develop world-wide capabilities in space science and exploration and support a transition that will lead to a global space exploration program. The proposed stepping stones are intended to transcend cross-cultural barriers, leading to the development of technical interfaces and shared legal frameworks and fostering coordination and cooperation on a broad front. Input for this report was drawn from expertise provided by COSPAR Associates within the international community and via the contacts they maintain in various scientific entities. The report provides a summary and synthesis of science roadmaps and recommendations for planetary exploration produced by many national and international working groups, aiming to encourage and exploit synergies among similar programs. While science and technology represent the core and, often, the drivers for space exploration, several other disciplines and their stakeholders (Earth science, space law, and others) should be more robustly interlinked and involved than they have been to date. The report argues that a shared vision is crucial to this linkage, and to providing a direction that enables new countries and stakeholders to join and engage in the overall space exploration effort. Building a basic space technology capacity within a wider range of countries, ensuring new actors in space act responsibly, and increasing public awareness and engagement are concrete steps that can provide a broader interest in space exploration, worldwide, and build a solid basis for program sustainability. By engaging developing countries and emerging space nations in an international space exploration program, it will be possible to create a critical bottom-up support structure to support program continuity in the development and execution of future global space exploration frameworks. With a focus on stepping stones, COSPAR can support a global space exploration program that stimulates scientists in current and emerging spacefaring nations, and that will invite those in developing countries to participate—pursuing research aimed at answering outstanding questions about the origins and evolution of our solar system and life on Earth (and possibly elsewhere). COSPAR, in cooperation with national and international science foundations and space-related organizations, will advocate this stepping stone approach to enhance future cooperative space exploration efforts

From science questions to Solar System exploration

This chapter reviews the way the six key questions about planetary systems, from their origins to the way they work and their habitability, identified in Chapter 1 (Blanc et al., 2021), can be addressed by means of solar system exploration, and how one can find partial answers to these six questions by flying to the different provinces to the solar system: terrestrial planets, giant planets, small bodies, and up to its interface with the local interstellar medium. It derives from this analysis a synthetic description of the most important space observations to be performed at the different solar system objects by future planetary exploration missions. These “observation requirements” illustrate the diversity of measurement techniques to be used as well as the diversity of destinations where these observations must be made. They constitute the base for the identification of the future planetary missions we need to fly by 2061, which are described in Chapter 4

From science questions to Solar System exploration

This chapter reviews the way the six key questions about planetary systems, from their origins to the way they work and their habitability, identified in Chapter 1 (Blanc et al., 2021), can be addressed by means of solar system exploration, and how one can find partial answers to these six questions by flying to the different provinces to the solar system: terrestrial planets, giant planets, small bodies, and up to its interface with the local interstellar medium. It derives from this analysis a synthetic description of the most important space observations to be performed at the different solar system objects by future planetary exploration missions. These “observation requirements” illustrate the diversity of measurement techniques to be used as well as the diversity of destinations where these observations must be made. They constitute the base for the identification of the future planetary missions we need to fly by 2061, which are described in Chapter 4