ISS set for deep-space science surge

摘要

With the wheels harely cool after the final touchdown of the Space Shuttle programme, member space agencies of the International Space Station's Multilateral Coordination Board met to discuss the future of the orbiting laboratory — which could soon take on a new role as a testbed for ambitious manned or unmanned missions into deeper space. Missions to Mars or an asteroid or to establish lunar bases will depend on technologies and in-space working techniques developed on the ISS. The Board, which meets periodically to co-ordinate ISS activities with senior representatives from the Canadian Space Agency, the European Space Agency, Japan's ministry of education, culture, sports, science and technology, NASA and Russia's Roscos-mos, discussed the requirements of various possible missions.