Images from the report of the BNSC Space Exploration Working Group

Asteroid Itakawa. Asteroids are thought to be made from the primitive material which formed the solar system
(Image JAXA)

Permanent Moon bases will both require and enable the processing of in situ resources
(Artist's impression ESA)

The sun seen in extreme UV showing a coronal mass ejection
(Image ESA, NASA, SOHO/EIT)

The Shackleton Crater on the lunar South Pole. The lunar surface preserves a record of the history of the solar system
(Image ESA/SMART-1)

A Mars Sample Return mission will require extremely demanding technologies in robotics, sample handling and planetary protection, all areas of UK technological expertise
(Artist’s impression ESA)

Residual water ice in Vastitas Borealis Crater. The presence of water may improve the prospect of finding signs of life on Mars
(Image ESA/DLR/FU Berlin (G. Neukum))

MoonLITE is a UK concept for a science-driven lunar mission which would exploit UK expertise in small satellites
(Artist's impression UCL)

UK robotic rover technology demonstrator under test in Tenerife
(Image EADS Astrium)

The Beagle 2 PAW exemplifies the UK expertise in miniaturised instrumentation
(Image Beagle 2)

'Earthrise' photographed from the Command Module of Apollo 11
(Image NASA)

Timeline for US exploration programme

Medical experiments on the ISS will prepare the way for human space exploration and will have benefits for patients on Earth
(Image NASA)

The Moon may make a useful base for high-resolution telescopes to detect Earth-like planets beyond the solar system
(Artist's impression NASA)

Figure 1 - The UK's current robotic space science and exploration programme. Missions in blue boxes are through ESA; those in green are bilateral contributions to international missions; orange boxes represent future possibilities
(Credit STFC)

To be added...