HERACLES (spacecraft)

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The HERACLES architecture was outlined by 2015.^[6] ESA approved the HERACLES project in November 2019.^[3][7] Its first mission is expected to launch in 2030.^[8] The project will be the next phase of ESA's exploration program Terrae Novae (known as European Exploration Envelope Programme—E3P before 2021).^[9]

The HERACLES transport system would leverage the Lunar Gateway as a staging point.^[10] The architecture involved dispatching the EL3 lunar lander from Earth aboard an Ariane 64^{[11]: slides 7, 9 and 10 [12][2]} which would land on the Moon with a disposable descent module.

The EL3 lander would have a landing mass of approximately 1,800 kg (4,000 lb)^[13] and would be capable of transporting a Canadian robotic rover to explore, prospect potential resources, and load samples up to 15 kg (33 lb) on the ascent module.^[14] The rover would then traverse several kilometers across the Schrödinger basin on the far side of the Moon to explore and collect more samples to load on the next EL3 lander.^[15][13] The ascent module would return each time to the Lunar Gateway, where it would be captured by the Canadian robotic arm and samples transferred to an Orion spacecraft for transport to Earth with the returning astronauts.^[16] The ascent module would then be refueled and paired with a new descent module dispatched from Earth.

The second and third landings would each have 500 kg (1,100 lb) payload available for alternate uses such as testing new hardware, demonstrating technology and gaining experience in operations. The 4th or 5th lander mission would provide a sample return.^[13]

The project would require the development of a reusable lunar ascent engine, four of which could be clustered to power a reusable crewed or robotic lander in the future. Later missions would include a pressurised rover driven by astronauts and an ascent module for the crew to return to Earth.^[13][16]

The key objectives of HERACLES included:^[14]

• Preparing for human lunar missions by implementing, demonstrating, and certifying technology elements for human lunar landing, surface operations, and return.
• Create opportunities for science, particularly sample return.
• Gain scientific and exploration knowledge, particularly on potential resources.
• Create opportunities to demonstrate and test technologies and operational procedures for future Mars missions.

The HERACLES EL3 lander concept would consist of the Lunar Descent Element (LDE), which would be provided by Japan's JAXA,^[1] the ESA-built Interface Element that would house the rover, and the European Lunar Ascent Element (LAE) that would return the samples to the Lunar Gateway.^[14] The rover, to be developed by the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), would have a mass of 330 kg (730 lb) and would feature a "radioisotope power system" that would permit operations during the long and frigid lunar nights.^[14] The total spacecraft mass would be ≈8,500 kg (18,700 lb) including fuel, with a payload of ≈1,500 kg (3,300 lb).^[1]

Nammo have been awarded a contract to evaluate engine performance requirements and 'find' the best engine design.^[17] The engine may be fed by electrically driven pumps, from low pressure propellant tanks, which may enable in-space refueling.^[17]

• Argonaut — European lunar lander

• Artemis program – NASA-led lunar exploration program
• Commercial Lunar Payload Services – NASA program contracting commercial transportation services to the Moon
• Chandrayaan programme – Indian Lunar exploration programme
• Chinese Lunar Exploration Program – Lunar research program (2004–present)
• Luna-Glob – Moon exploration program by the Russian Federal Space Agency