Lunar Lander (spacecraft)

This article is about the uncrewed ESA lunar mission. For other lunar landing missions, see Lunar lander.
Lunar Lander
Lunar Lander model
Mission typeTechnology demonstration, Exploration
OperatorESA
Mission durationTransfer: ~2-4 months[1]
Surface operations: several months (proposed)[1]
Spacecraft properties
ManufacturerAstrium
Launch mass~2,000 kg (4,400 lb)[2]
Dry mass750 kg (1,650 lb)[2]
Dimensionsheight: 3.44 m (11.3 ft)[3]
diameter: 5.6 m (18 ft)[3]
Start of mission
Launch date2018 (proposed)[2]
RocketSoyuz 2.1b[1]
Launch siteGuiana Space Centre - ELS
Moon lander
Landing date2018 (proposed)
Landing siteLunar south pole

The Lunar Lander was a robotic mission intended to send a lander vehicle to the Moon, led by ESA's Human Spaceflight and Operations directorate. The primary objective of the Lunar Lander mission was to demonstrate Europe's ability to deliver payload safely and accurately to the Moon's surface. More specifically the mission would have demonstrated the technologies required to achieve a soft and precise landing while autonomously avoiding surface hazards that can endanger landing and surface mission safety. These technologies will be an asset for future human and robotic exploration missions.[4] However the project was put on hold at the 2012 ESA Ministerial Council.[5]

  1. ^ a b c Fisackerly, R.; et al. (2010). "The ESA Lunar Lander Mission". AIAA.
  2. ^ a b c De Rosa, D.; et al. (5–10 June 2011). "ESA Lunar Lander Mission". 8th International ESA Conference on Guidance, Navigation & Control Systems.
  3. ^ a b Carpenter, J.; et al. (2012). "Scientific Preparations for Lunar Exploration with the European Lunar Lander". Planetary and Space Science. 74 (1): 208–223. arXiv:1207.4965. Bibcode:2012P&SS...74..208C. doi:10.1016/j.pss.2012.07.024. S2CID 119231245.
  4. ^ "ESA Space Exploration Strategy". esamultimedia.esa.int. Retrieved 2016-07-26.
  5. ^ "ESA lunar lander shelved ahead of budget conference". Retrieved 21 November 2012.