Friday / 25 April 2014

LPI Seminar On Moon Evolution,
SRR / PTMSS Deadline

LPI Lecture & PTMSS SRR

Lunar & Planetary Institute Lecture ‘Constraints On The Formation Age & Evolution Of The Moon From 142Nd-143Nd Systematics Of Apollo 12 Basalts’ Presentation Today By Claire McLeod From University Of Houston; Will Discuss How New High-Precision Neodymium (Nd) Isotope Data For Apollo Mare Basalts Are Used To Evaluate Lunar Mantle Source Reservoirs, And 3 Potential Moon Evolution Scenarios; Abstracts Due Today For 2014 SRR / PTMSS To Advance Commercial Prospects Of Developing Moon, Mars, Asteroid Resources

Image Credit: LPI, SRR / PTMSS, NASA, GSFC, C. McLeod

Tuesday / 22 April 2014

Old Moon, New Moon Lecture At Carnegie Institute

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Maria Zuber Of MIT Will Give Lecture Today Entitled ‘Old Moon, New Moon‘ At The Carnegie Institute For Science In Washington DC; Dr Zuber Will Describe How Understanding Of The Moon Evolved With GRAIL Mission Data – Surprisingly Low Density (2550 Kg / M³) & Thickness (34-43 Km) Of Lunar Crust – & How Studying The Moon Provides Insight Into How Other Rocky Planets Formed / Developed

Image Credit: MIT, NASA, Carnegie Institute for Science

Friday / 11 April 2014

Moon First, Then Mars And Beyond

US Moon First

Scientists, Policy Makers, Astronauts Urge U.S. Gov To Support Return To Moon As Discussions Continue At NASA Global Exploration Roadmap Workshop 10-11 Apr; Don Brunell (TL) Points Out Moon Program Would Solidify USA Space Leadership, Facilitate Testing / Development Of Technologies For Living / Working / Transporting In Deep Space, Help Keep Pace With China; David Criswell (TC) Believes Moon Could Supply Clean Renewable Energy For Entire Planet; Harrison “Jack” Schmitt (B) Says Helium 3 Is Key To 2nd Generation Fusion Reactors

Image Credit: eoearth, D. Brunell, ISECG, NASA

Weekend Edition
Fri-Mon / 21-24 March 2014

Scientists / Experts Expound Imminent Need & Means To Realize Human Moon Base

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Panel Of Experts: (L-R) Paul Spudis, Mike Gold, Haym Benaroya, Will Discuss Pressing Scientific, Technological & Economic Issues Involved In Human Moon Settlement, 25 March In Arlington VA, Hosted By Marshall Institute, TechAmerica; Gene Grush Publishes 5-Part Series Of Articles Outlining How USA Can Put Humans Back On The Moon Within The Decade; Stephen Hawking Warns Of Humanity’s Need For Plan B, Predicts Human Moon Base / Multi World Species Status Vital To Long-Term Survival

Image Credit: NASA, Rutgers University, Bigelow Aerospace, dailymail.co.uk

Weekend Edition
Fri-Mon / 14-17 March 2014

45th LPSC This Week In Texas

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Future Moon Missions & Exciting Results Of Current Missions Will Be Examined By Nearly 2000 Planetary Scientists At 45th Lunar Planetary Science Conference At The Woodlands TX On 17-21 Mar; Moon South Pole Will Be Featured As Ideal Site For Future Robotic / Human Missions In Presentations By Brad Jolliff, Debra Hurwitz (BL), Others; Importance Of This Annual Event Would Be Significantly Boosted With Clear Imminent Plan For USA Presence On Moon; Pictured (BR) Conference Co-Chairs: Steve Mackwell, Eileen Stansbery

Image Credit: NASA, LPI

Wednesday / 12 March 2014

5th Joint Meeting Of SRR / PTMSS In June

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Space Resources Roundtable And The Planetary & Terrestrial Mining Sciences Symposium Release 2nd Announcement Of Their 5th Joint Meeting At Colorado School Of Mines (CSM) On 9-12 June; Held In Collaboration With The Lunar & Planetary Institute The Event Will Provide A Forum To Discuss Near & Long-Term Strategies For Taking Advantage Of Emerging Opportunities For Space / Lunar Resource Utilization Activities On Planned National & Private Missions; Pictured: Angel Abbud-Madrid Of CSM

Image Credit: CSM, NASA

Friday / 28 February 2014

GRAIL, LADEE Enhancing Lunar Science

GRAIL & LADEE

LPI Seminar 28 Feb By Jeff Andrews-Hanna From Colorado School Of Mines ‘The Early Magmatic & Tectonic History Of The Moon As Revealed By GRAIL’ Highlights Linear Gravity Anomalies Caused By Ancient Igneous Intrusions, Later Formations Of Circular & Arcuate Dikes; Largest Magmatic-Tectonic Structure Revealed Is ~2500 km In Diameter, Encompasses Procellarum Region On Nearside; LADEE With ~100 Science Days Complete, Providing Data On Dust & Atmosphere Variations, Images Of Moon & Stars

Image Credit: NASA, Colorado School of Mines, Science/AAAS

Weekend Edition
Fri-Mon / 21-24 February 2014

LRO Going Strong, Potential To Observe
LADEE Impact In April LRO Update

LRO In 30 x 200km Orbit With Periapsis Over Moon South Pole, Traveling At 1.6km/s; Captures Precise Images Of Icarus & Hayn Craters (TL & BL), Chang’e-3 Landing Site (TR), LADEE (BR); Operating Nominally 4 Years 8 Months Into Mission With 16 Data Sets Released; Mission Data Intended To Enable A Human Return To Moon; May Observe LADEE Lunar Impact Scheduled 21 April; LRO 2014 Lunar Workshop For Educators Will Be Held 14-18 July In Greenbelt MD

Image Credit: NASA/GSFC/Arizona State University

Tuesday / 11 February 2014

4th International Workshop On Lunar Science Applications In Florida This April

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8-11 April Event In Cocoa Beach, FL, USA Will Provide Overview Of Current Lunar Mission Data, Planned USA, Russia, GLXP Missions & Opportunities They May Provide For Secondary Payloads To Lunar Surface / Cislunar Space; LSA 4 Designed To Foster Collaboration Among Scientists, Engineers & Entrepreneurs To Solve Challenges Involved With Going To Moon & Beyond; Abstracts Due 28 Feb

Image Credit: lunarinitiatives.com, NASA, Moon Express

Tuesday / 4 February 2014

LADEE Mission Extended, SSERVI Exploration Science Forum Set For July

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Moon Orbiter, Already With Over 1000 Lunar Orbits Completed, Surprises Mission Team By Having Enough Fuel Remaining For 1-Month Extended Mission; 383-kg Craft Will Be Lowered To 5-Km Orbit Where It Should Find Denser Atmosphere / Dust Environment; Richard Elphic (BR) & LADEE Team Still Investigating Data From Chang’e-3 Landing; NASA / SSERVI Announce 1st Annual Exploration Science Forum At Ames RC, CA, On 21-23 July 2014

Image Credit: NASA