First European astronaut to walk on Moon by 2030, push to Mars

The European Space Agency on Tuesday released its latest roadmap for space exploration as it pushes deeper and farther beyond Earth's orbit. The roadmap, dubbed Terrae Novae 2030+, identifies a 2030 timeline for the first European astronaut to land on the Moon and further push to Mars.

ESA is also working on the European Large Logistic Lander designed to support human exploration of the Moon; and the Earth Return Orbiter, the spacecraft that will return from Mars with invaluable scientific samples. The space agency said that the mission of the Terrae Novae exploration programme is to lead Europe’s human journey into the Solar System using robots as precursors and scouts, and to return the benefits of exploration back to society.

“Terrae Novae is not only literally about exploring new worlds, but by describing the limitless opportunities for discovery, economic growth and inspiration it also expresses our ambitions for Europe’s future innovators, scientists and explorers," ESA’s director of Human and Robotic Exploration, David Parker said in a statement.