being developed to support these programs is intended to have a long service life, flexibility and growth potential. The European Space Agency has embarked on a long term plan. By the turn of the century, European elements of the International Space Station FREEDOM are expected to reach full operational capacity. They will carry a large number of experiments in materials research, life sciences, space and Earth observation, and will also be used to support technology development. The COLUMBUS free flyer will provide continuous opportunities for microgravity investigations in addition to the COLUMBUS laboratory module attached to FREEDOM. An autonomous European Manned Space Infrastructure (EMSI) will proceed through advanced development in parallel with this - and will be derived from it. Ilie station will initially have little in the way of on orbit servicing or assembly capability. It will mainly cater to scientific payloads. These support functions will be included later on after permanently manned status is achieved. The planned new European infrastructure will depend heavily on new launcher development and will likely also make use of new logistics vehicles for resupply. Subsequent to 1996, Ariane 5 will provide Europe's primary launch capability. It's guaranteed payload capability will be: - 6,800 kg into geosynchronous transfer orbit, or - up to 18,000 kg into a circular, 550 km, 28.5o low Earth orbit. Ariane 5 will also carry the HERMES spaceplane from 1998. HERMES is designed to carry a crew of 3 and to service the on orbit infrastructure elements. The Polar Orbit Earth Observation Programme will use the COLUMBUS polar platform along with the polar platforms of the other FREEDOM partners for an ongoing series of missions. In addition to the operational meteorological instruments flying on the Polar Platform, the European contribution to the complimentary geostationary meteorological satellites will consist of advanced technology. Hie METEOSAT Second Generation will be capable of higher resolution and more frequent imaging than is currently possible, as well as atmospheric sounding. Improved data dissemination will also be provided for. The long term plan includes development of a sequence of experimental telecommunications satellites culminating in the very large AOTS-2 satellite by the year 2000. These will allow the evaluation of new techniques such as shaped beam antennae, on board switching and signal processing, satellite to satellite links, and optical communications. A Data Relay System, based on two satellites in geostationary orbit will support Europe's on orbit operations after 1996. ESA's plans for space sciences through the beginning of the new millennium are described in Space Science: Horizon 2000. These plans are built on four cornerstones, complimented by four medium class missions and an assortment of several smaller missions. These latter missions may be associated with elements of Space
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