Decisions about the future of the Europe’s space programme will be made at the ESA Ministerial Council meeting on 1-2 December. br br Ministers from the 22 ESA Member States and Canada will gather in Lucerne, Switzerland, to agree on future spending priorities. br br As well as funding a core programme, ESA members can subscribe to optional programmes. These range from future astronomy missions to the development of new satellite communications systems. br br Before the meeting, each ESA directorate has drawn-up a list of priorities to be considered by ministers. br br In this first in a series of reports, we hear from ESA’s Technology Directorate in particular on their proposals for an asteroid mission.