ESA is inviting university students around the world to compete in designing a mission scenario for the next step in space exploration: a human–robotic partnership for exploring the Moon.

The “Human-Enhanced Robotic Architecture and Capabilities for Lunar Exploration and Science”, or Heracles, study describes an ESA-led mission that aims for the next steps in lunar exploration.

One of the main objectives is to examine human–robotic partnerships – the interaction between crew and automated systems considered to be a promising aspect of future space exploration missions.

The Agency invites university students from around the world to submit their proposals as part of the symposium, ‘Moon 2020–2030: A New Era of Human and Robotic Exploration’, set for 15-16 December at ESTEC, Noordwijk, the Netherlands.

The winning submissions will be assessed by ESA for their utility in possible future studies of mission scenarios.