London

Italy and Britain look set to take a leading role in a major European Space Agency (ESA) initiative to explore the Solar System, which could culminate in a manned mission to Mars.

The involvement of Britain, which pledged €7 million (US$8.6 million) of initial funding on 1 October, marks a significant re-engagement in ESA projects. Britain did not participate in the agency's work on the International Space Station (ISS), but has recently been taking a more positive approach to ESA. In the past, it has taken a dim view of some of the space agency's more ambitious projects, including its astronaut programme.

Europe's Aurora programme may eventually lead to a manned mission to Mars. Credit: ESA

Britain will now play a prominent role in the Aurora exploration programme, although the contribution from Italy — €14 million, to be confirmed by mid-October — will give that country the largest single influence on the project. Germany has yet to commit to the programme, and France says it will only supplement the limited funding it has already provided if uncertainties surrounding the future of the ISS can be resolved (see Nature 423, 103; 200310.1038/423103a).

Details of the programme are due to be agreed by early 2006, but all parties admit that much has yet to be decided. Britain would like Aurora to focus on robotic missions, whereas Italy and France would like it to have a substantial manned component.

Whatever form the plans finally take, the programme will be costly. Britain's Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council (PPARC), the funding body that pays the UK subscription to Aurora, says ESA may ask it for around €35 million a year. That is probably “wishful thinking” on the space agency's part, says PPARC chief executive Ian Halliday, unless his council receives extra funding from the UK government.