The Role of the Next Generation Lunar Scientists and Engineers (NextGen) Group in Lunar Science and Exploration

Founded in 2008, the Next Generation Lunar Scientists and Engineers (NextGen) is a group of students and early career professionals who have a vision and passion for lunar science and exploration. The purpose of NextGen is to prepare, support, and retain the next generation of leaders in lunar science and exploration while fostering collaboration between groups in the lunar community. The group achieves this goal by hosting professional development workshops and interpersonal experiences that provide resources, networking, and training for early career scientists and engineers.

The NextGen group currently has 150 members, and a recent survey indicated that 60% are early career (< 10 years post-Ph.D., including postdocs), and 19% are students. NextGen is strongly supported by formal groups in the lunar community, such as the Lunar Exploration Analysis Group (LEAG) and the Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute (SSERVI), which actively welcome NextGen participation in committees and at annual meetings. NextGen participation includes more senior members of the community - 11% of survey respondents were mid-career ( 10-20 years post-Ph.D.), and 10% were late-career (20+ years post-Ph.D.) researchers. These individuals are engaged in the form of workshop support, guidance, and mentorship. 57% of survey respondents indicated they have attended a NextGen event, demonstrating that members are active participants of the group.

The US sits on the brink of a new era of lunar exploration, and many international space agencies are also preparing to send spacecraft to the Moon. NextGen members are increasingly part of this effort and are actively engaged in scientific research, mission formulation and execution, community outreach, peer review, and other pursuits (see http://nextgenlunar.weebly.com/featured-member.html). Training, nurturing, and retaining this new generation of lunar scientists and engineers is critical to a successful current and future workforce within NASA, industry, and academia. NextGen plays a critical role in this effort by partnering with these organizations to train, connect, and retain the students and early career professionals who are the foundation of a sustainable lunar science and exploration program.