Transformative Lunar Science
Abstract
The foundation of Apollo and Luna programs implemented 50 years ago combined with more recent results from the renaissance of international lunar exploration over the last 15 years has provided humanity a deeper and more intimate view of the Moon. It has also opened enormous opportunity for accomplishing Transformative Lunar Science (TLS) which are the next major breakthroughs in understanding the origin and early habitability of our Earth-Moon system as well as fundamental constraints on events that control the evolution of our Solar System. A few examples of TLS topics include: a) Establish the period of early giant planet migration and its effects in our Solar System, b) Provide an absolute chronology for Solar System events over 4 billion years, c) Understand and utilize the recently recognized water cycle of the Moon and other airless bodies, d) Characterize the Moon's interior to reveal how this differentiated cousin of Earth formed and evolved, e) Use the accessible vantage from the lunar farside to view the universe, f) Evaluate the extended record of space weather and fundamental processes of plasma interactions with surfaces. As human/robotic partnerships are developed further for space exploration, the next era of significant lunar exploration is a broad international undertaking, including commercial involvement. An enabling element for such Transformative Lunar Science is joint development of a stable infrastructure for efficient integrated activities.
- Publication:
-
42nd COSPAR Scientific Assembly
- Pub Date:
- July 2018
- Bibcode:
- 2018cosp...42E2671P