Space science and space exploration are difficult to separate, as they share a symbiotic relationship where one pulls the other towards evolution and developmen. This is leading to new discoveries about our planet, the universe that surrounds us and how to improve our quality of life.

The need to discover and understand the environment around us is inherent in human nature. Since the beginning, humanity has looked to the sky for answers to fundamental questions about our origins and future. Today, things are no different: space is a great mystery waiting to be discovered.

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Space Science and Exploration inspire younger generations to pursue STE(A)M-related fields, helping to motivate future active members of society to pursue highly skilled jobs. This includes future scientists, engineers, physicists, lawyers, architects, and others, who will help build human capital and enrich society in the long term. Through the field of Space Science, Portugal aims to strengthen collaboration within the Portuguese scientific community, with international partners and with industry, contributing to the understanding of the universe, in Earth Sciences and Space Exploration.

In November 2019, during ESA’s last ministerial, Space19+, Portugal contributed €47.4 million to the so-called Mandatory Activities, which include Core Activities and the Science Programme. Portugal also subscribed €3 million to the PRODEX programme, with the aim of promoting and supporting Portuguese participation in ESA science missions, such as PLATO (Planetary Transits and Oscillation of Stars) and ARIEL (Atmospheric Remote-sensing Infrared Exoplanet Large-survey).

At the Space19+ summit, Portugal also contributed 1.5 million euros to the European Exploration Programme, aiming to encourage the participation of Portuguese industry in the development of technical equipment and, above all, to encourage research and development of microgravity products for non-space sectors.

In fact, research and development of pharmaceutical products or specialized manufacturing processes in microgravity are among the space science exploration activities with an immediate impact on the quality of life on Earth. Among the areas with the greatest interest in the development of commercialization activities in microgravity already underway are molecular biology, gravitational biology, fluid physics, human physiology and fundamental physics, among others.

With this in mind, during Space19+, Portugal subscribed €1 million to the Space Rider Program, with the aim of fostering the exploration of the orbital space plane by promoting R&D of products in microgravity conditions.

Space exploration relies heavily on robotics and autonomy. Rovers used in space exploration missions are no longer dependent on constant instructions from Earth and are capable of advanced navigation, localization and navigation in harsh environments, also increasingly relying on Artificial Intelligence to perform the tasks assigned to them.

The strengthening of space exploration and exploration activities in low orbits and beyond raises questions related to sustainability and draws attention to the management of resources in space, namely recycling, manufacturing and use of in-situ resources. And these promise to be some of the next technological challenges in space, contributing to the opening of new markets. 

NATIONAL GOALS FOR SCIENCE AND EXPLORATION

Portugal should seize opportunities to strengthen the skills acquired and complement them with, given its limited capabilities to lead large exploration missions.

• Strengthening the scientific “mining” of exploration activities;
• Stimulating commercial activities built on synergies between space and non-space sectors, such as the maritime/deep-sea sectors or the land-based mining sector;
• Raising awareness among end users of commercial opportunities, helping to simplify their entry into the space ecosystem;
• Invest in in-situ resource utilization and space manufacturing opportunities. 

Espaço Portugal supports research in space science and exploration (as well as other space-related disciplines) and offers opportunities for doctoral scholarships. The Portuguese Space Agency, Portugal Space, is preparing a call for doctoral scholarships funded by the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), to which students can apply to develop their research projects related to Space, including Space Science, Sustainable Exploration and in-situ resource utilization. 

SciSpacE (Science in Space Environment) and ExPeRT (Exploration, Preparation, Research and Technology) are cross-cutting programme lines of ESA’s Envelope Programme (E3P2) of interest to Portugal, as they will enable scientific research to be carried out in simulated and real space environments (e.g. microgravity research), as well as the preparation and development of new technologies for future missions. These activities are essential for the four fundamental mission campaigns of E3P2: Humans in Low Orbit, Humans beyond Low Orbit, Robotic Exploration of Lunar and Robotic Exploration of Mars.