Notice

EAGME Terms of Reference

Published 14 May 2026

1. Background 

The Expert Advisory Group on Future Mars Exploration (EAGME) is a group, formed in 2026, as constitution on the request of the UK Space Agency because of the establishment of the Ad-hoc Working Group on Future Mars Exploration at the ESA Programme Board – Human Spaceflight, Microgravity, and Exploration (PB-HME). The group is Chaired independently of the UK Space Agency and aims to represent the diversity of expertise held by UK academic and industry representatives involved and interested in Mars exploration.  

The ESA Working Group work is envisaged to conclude by November 2026, [although the UK Space Agency may wish to retain a Mars Advisory Committee beyond this date]. 

2. Objectives 

The group convenes scientific, interdisciplinary, and intersectional discussions on matters arising from the ESA Working Group.  

The Advisory Committee will act in a strategic, advisory capacity, supporting informed UK input to ESA discussions rather than defining national positions, and helping to ensure that UK scientific and industrial expertise is effectively represented in shaping future Mars exploration. 

Its primary objectives are to:  

• advise on ESA Mars science priorities and strategic ambition: Identify and articulate, from a UK perspective, the most compelling scientific goals for future Mars exploration via ESA, considering alignment with ESA’s long-term Explore2040 Strategy and the evolving international Mars exploration context, helping to ensure ESA planning and associated technology and science roadmaps reflect these priorities

• advise on the coherence of ESA’s proposed science ambition, mission preparation, and enabling technologies and capabilities: Provide expert input on the scientific and technical rationale and feasibility of proposed payloads and instruments in the context of potential missions and the enabling technologies required to deliver them. Advise on the preparatory work required to advance UK-relevant Mars objectives in the context of these activities, and the implications of affordability, technical readiness and programmatic risk of various scenarios

• advise on Mars mission sequencing and timelines: provide the UK community perspective on the outcomes of previous and ongoing studies (e.g., LightShip, MEDaL) to assess how science objectives can be phased or optimised across future Mars mission profiles

• advise on international collaboration and strategic trade-offs: provide insight on potential international cooperation, highlighting where UK strengths could add value within international Mars exploration architectures.  

3. Activities  

The group will convene robust scientific and interdisciplinary discussions about future Mars exploration activities through: 

• regular meetings held between June and November 2026 

• extraordinary meetings organised when necessary to fulfil the group’s objectives and/or if required by the UK Space Agency  

• review of ESA documentation and Frontiers outputs 

• production of reports and white papers when appropriate

All papers and recommendations will be written collaboratively, and authorship will be shared among contributors. Collective authorship will be agreed for recommendations discussed and endorsed by the whole group. 

Members will be expected to represent their entire community (for their area of expertise) and should engage with their communities to gather this perspective.  

None of the outputs of the group’s activities will be made public and will be for internal use only.  

4. Membership 

The group is formed of core members who will be holding their role for a minimum of 6 months with the potential to extend as required. The group includes: 

• academic experts who represent different areas of expertise and provide scientific advice on Mars exploration activities and the topics within the remit of the group

• industrial representatives who lend their expertise to the group, advocate for the role and interests of commercial actors in Martian activities and contribute to strengthen space collaboration and innovation

• additional experts will be invited or consulted on a needs basis

The committee will have a Chair (Professor Karen Olssen Francis) and, if deemed appropriate by the group, a vice-chair will be elected by majority.  

5. Remuneration and length of service 

The group convenor and all members are unpaid, and their contribution to discussions and activities is entirely voluntary. 

The group will be convened and work for an initial period of six months (June – November 2026).  

6. Key Engagement with Relevant Parties 

The committee will report to the UK Space Agency’s Space Exploration Advisory Committee (SEAC) at the regular SEAC meetings.  

All documents produced by the group will be shared with the UK Space Agency and used to inform discussions with ESA.  

UK Space Agency representatives will be present at all EAGME meetings.