No abstract

The European transportation options for the Moon exploration are analyzed from near term to long term assuming an active participation of Europe, which could lead to a European astronaut on the lunar surface. Near term prospects correspond to the use of Ariane 5 completed by a lunar lander offering a two tons capability for the payload and its accommodation. Assuming a future human exploration, Ariane 5 could also provide the capability of testing a manned capsule in LEO which could later be used for returning from the Moon. The possibilities offered by a two launch mission are also considered. But for an active participation in a more long term perspective, either for cargo delivery to a Moon base or sending crew, a very heavy launcher is mandatory. The simplest way is to redo an Apollo like mission although alternative scenarios are possible but probably less reliable and more expensive. Several candidate designs are proposed and a development logic including the qualification process is suggested. The recommended approach minimizes the minimum number of elements to be developed.