24 proposals for SMART-1
22 June 1998
A total of 24 proposals for technology experiments were received in response to the SMART-1 Announcement of Opportunity on the deadline of 5 June.The candidate technology experiments are now being evaluated.
SMART-1 is the first of ESA's Small Missions for Advanced Research in Technology. The objective of the mission is to demonstrate innovative technology for scientific deep-space missions. A key new idea to be tested is solar electric propulsion. The use of solar electric propulsion is a first for Europe, and would be essential for future missions with large velocity requirements, for example the Mercury mission.
The launch of SMART-1 is planned for the end of 2001.
Last Update: 1 September 2019