a step in the preparations for the Mars Sample Return mission. Mars aerocapture demonstrator, to further develop the technologies for using a planet's atmosphere to brake into orbit. This particular mission seems to have been revised into an expanded mission to demonstrate "aerobraking/aerocapture, solar electric propulsion and soft landing" to be launched in 2020. Timeline The proposed Aurora roadmap (as of 30 September 2005. This roadmap can, and most likely will, go through revisions): 2014 – Human mission technologies demonstrator(s) to validate technologies for orbital assembly and docking, life support and human habitation 2016 and 2020 – ExoMars rover to Mars. The scientific objectives include exobiological studies as well as study of the surface of Mars. 2026 – Robotic mission to Mars 2030s – First human mission to Mars, as a split mission. The proposed Ariane M rocket may be used for this landing. The human part of the programme has been challenged by the main ESA contributors (France, Germany and Italy), making it quite possible that the whole Aurora Programme will be refocused on robotic-only exploration of Mars. See also Astrobiology Constellation program Space exploration Human spaceflight Mars sample return mission References External links Aurora site at ESA Aurora Industry Day 2006 Brochure of the Aurora Programme Another publication about Aurora Aurora Roadmap poster Astrobiology European Space Agency programmes Human missions to Mars Human spaceflight programs Proposed spacecraft Space policy of the European Union 2001 establishments in Europe