Bigger vision, more space agencies, and an updated international strategy for exploring the solar system: That’s what is included in the fourth edition of the Global Exploration Roadmap (GER). It’s just been released by the International Space Exploration Coordination Group (ISECG), a forum of 27 space agencies including the Canadian Space Agency (CSA).

Although ISECG is a voluntary, non-binding coordination forum, its members do exchange information regarding their respective interests, plans and activities in space exploration. ISERG member agencies also try to work together to strengthen their individual exploration programs and the collective efforts of space-faring nations towards common goals

As shown in the Global Exploration Roadmap poster released by ISECG on August 20, 2024, the GER’s latest edition focuses on the exploration of low Earth orbit (LEO), the Moon, Mars, and beyond. LEO is the key focus for ISERG member agencies in the 2020s, the Moon for the 2030s, and Mars for the 2040s.

“The Global Exploration Roadmap reflects international efforts to define a sustainable pathway for human exploration of the solar system, with Mars as the horizon goal,” the GER says in Chapter 9, under the title, ‘Following a Shared Path’. “The roadmap is updated over time as space agencies across the world develop and implement exploration missions. Space exploration produces economic growth, fuels the development of new technologies, stimulates curiosity about our place in the universe, and inspires people around the world. The challenges of spaceflight bring nations together to develop the capabilities needed to explore the solar system.”

According to the opening of the GER’s fourth edition — under the title ‘What’s New in the Global Exploration Roadmap?’ —  this new version contains the following changes compared to the previous edition of the GER. They are:

• An expanded vision that includes more space agencies.
• Increased emphasis on contributions from emerging space agencies and their participation in future space exploration activities.
• Updated examples of the benefits of space exploration.
• Recognition of the continued growth in private sector interest and activities.
• A summary of the high-level advancements in scientific knowledge and scientific partnerships that will be made possible through international collaboration.
• A planning horizon extended to 2050, with an emphasis on sustained exploration.
• Highlights of exploration activities beyond the Moon and Mars, with an emphasis on synergies between robotic and human exploration.
• An updated critical technologies list, including technologies that will enable humans to live on and explore the Moon for long periods of time.

The GER’s fourth edition also includes an analysis of the benefits of space exploration; information about ‘emerging space agencies’ now up and running in Australia, Brazil, Korea (South), Mexico, Norway, Poland, and Portugal; and details of space exploration and activities in LEO, above/on the Moon and Mars, and in the rest of the Solar System.

For anyone wanting a comprehensive yet clear language summary of humanity’s collective efforts in space, the 65-page GER fourth edition is a worthwhile read – and it’s free!

Related: 9 additional space agencies support international lunar and Mars exploration efforts