From the ArcaMax Publishing, Science & Technology Newsletter:
http://www.arcamax.com/news/technology/s-183478-660746
PARIS (UPI) -- The European Space Agency said it has moved one step
closer to defining its scientific program for 2015-2025.
ESA officials said they have received more than 60 letters of intent
from European space-science teams, presenting preliminary concepts for
the 10-year space program.
The mission concepts included the exploration of Jupiter and its
satellite, Europa; a study of radiation from the Big Bang; testing
theories concerning the inflation of the universe; missions studying
near-Earth asteroids; satellites looking for liquid water on the
Saturn moon Enceladus, and a study of Earth's gravity.
Detailed mission proposals are to be submitted by June 29. Then,
beginning in October, the ESA will assess the proposals and pre-select
three class-M missions and three class-L missions.
Class-M missions are medium-size projects, in which the costs to the
ESA do not exceed $406 million (300 million euros). Class-L missions
are larger projects, with cost envelopes not exceeding $879 million
(650 million euros).
By the end of 2011, one class-M and one class-L mission will be
adopted for implementation, with launches set for 2017 and 2018, in
that order.