ZHUKOVSKY (Moscow region), August 19 (RIA Novosti) - The European Space Agency (ESA) is currently developing a solar system exploration program, an agency official said Friday.
He said ESA satellites play a key role in the observation of solar activity and its influence on the Earth, in mapping star charts and exploring the universe with the help of infrared and X-ray imaging.
The prospects of future space exploration are great, including the possibility of extracting raw materials from the Moon, gathering solar energy in space and constructing manned stations on other celestial bodies, the expert said.
"In the next decade, we will see what becomes reality and what remains sci-fi," he said. "The ESA is currently working on the Aurora solar system exploration program, which includes an ESA manned flight to the Moon and Mars."
In October, the ESA plans to send a probe to explore Venus, he said.
