Weekend Edition
Fri-Mon / 16-19 Feb 2018

NASA FY19 Proposal And Human / International Moon Missions

U.S. Space Policy Directive 1 Goal To Lead Sustainable Program Of Exploration With Commercial & International Partners Is Prioritized In US$19.892B NASA FY19 Budget Proposal Including $10.5B Campaign To Return Humans To Moon; Potential $200M May Be Allotted To Develop Commercial Robotic Landers 2020, Leading To Human-Rated Landers 2023; SLS / Orion To Be Fully Funded, Planning 2020 Uncrewed Launch, 2023 Crewed Lunar Flyby; SpaceX Falcon Heavy May Also Contribute To Commercial Lunar Launches, Deliver Humans To Moon & Mars; International Lunar Orbital Platform – Gateway In Cislunar Space Could Accelerate Human Moon Landings & First Women On The Moon

Credits: NASA, SPC, ILOA

Friday / 9 Feb 2018

Deep Space Gateway To The Moon South Pole:
5 Landing Sites Being Explored

International Space Exploration Coordination Group Developing Navigation Routes For 5-Year Campaign Of 5 Human Moon Landing Missions From Envisioned Deep Space Gateway Starting 2028 At Malapert Massif, Shackleton Crater, Schrödinger Basin, Antoniadi Crater, South Pole-Aitken Basin; NASA NexGen ELA Study In 2015 Indicates Human Lunar Return 5-7 Years For US$10B Thru Public-Private Collaboration; Commercial Space At National Space Council Meeting 2017 Confirms Statement Adding Committed Funding & Political Support Necessary – Next Meeting 21 Feb; Reusable Moon Lander For Crew & Robots Would Be Most Essential For Moon, Deep Space Exploration States Clive Neal (R)

Credits: Leonard David, Scientific American; Image Credit: NASA, ISECG, Notre Dame

Wednesday / 7 Feb 2018

JAXA To Hold Workshops On Lunar Polar Exploration & Global Exploration Roadmap

JAXA Announces 2nd Workshop On Exploration Of Moon Polar Region To Be Held Feb 19 To Deepen Discussion Toward International Collaboration On Instruments & Vehicles For Exploring Water Ice, In Conjunction With Workshop On International Space Exploration Coordination Group Global Exploration Roadmap Feb 18; Drawing On Results From 2-Day Workshop Dec 8-9, 2017; Both In Tokyo & Open To Public – Soliciting Participation From Private Sectors & Universities; Marks Rapid Growth Of Japan Interest In Moon, Including Human Exploration

Pictured: JAXA lunar scientist Makiko Ohtake (top left), JAXA workshop convener Hiroki Furihata; Credits: JAXA, Makoto Nakamura, SPC

Wednesday / 31 Jan 2018

ILOA Confirms 4-7 December For Galaxy Forum China 2018 Hainan

International Lunar Observatory Association Will Host A 3-Day Interglobal Conference On “International Human Moon Missions” & “Astronomy From The Moon” At Hilton Wenchang On Tropical Island Of Hainan – Home Of China Spaceport (19°N) At Wenchang Satellite Launch Center; Co-Sponsorship Already From International Astronautical Federation, Chinese Society Of Astronautics, National Astronomical Observatories / Chinese Academy Of Sciences; Feature Presentation By Andy Aldrin & Other World Space Leaders To See Humans On The Moon ASAP; Program & Registration Available Soon At ILOA Website

Credits: ILOA, CSA, NAOC, IAF, Google, NASA, SPC

Friday / 26 Jan 2018

New Views Of The Moon 2 – Asia To Contribute To Synthesized International Database On Lunar Research

Multinational Lunar Experts Will Share Cutting Edge Data And Research At 2018 New Views Of The Moon 2 Being Held At University of Aizu, Japan 18-20 April; Following Successful Meetings In Europe (Germany) And USA (Houston TX) The 2008-2018 NVM2 Initiative Consists Of Topical Workshops, Special Meeting Sessions And Web-based Resource Collections, Leading To A Published Book; Featured Speakers Include (L-R) Clive Neal, Makiko Ohtake, Chip Shearer, Lisa Gaddis, Sam Lawrence, Steve Mackwell, Naru Hirata

Credits: NVM2, LPI, University of Mexico, University of Aizu, JSC / NASA

Weekend Edition
Fri-Mon / 19-22 Jan 2018

Russia Luna-27 Lander, ESA Lunar Ice Drill Progressing Toward Moon South Pole Launch 2021

Roscosmos Advancing Luna-Resurs Lander (Luna-27) With ESA Contract On Surface Drill (PROSPECT) Design, Planned 2021 Launch; Drill With 1-2 Meter Penetration Capability Through Frozen Regolith Being Tested At -140° C, Lunar Shadowed Surfaces Could Reach -240° C; ESA To Also Provide High Resolution Cameras With LIDAR & Precise and Intelligent Landing using Onboard Technologies (PILOT) System To Assist Landing; Luna-25 2019 Lander To Test Soft-Landing Technologies; Neutron Detector On Luna-26 Launching 2020 To Map Subsurface Ice; Sample Return Planned For Luna-28 In 2023; Luna-29 Lander And Rover In 2025 Could See Human Missions / Future Moon Base

Credits: NPO Lavochkin, Anatoly Zak, RussianSpaceWeb, Roscosmos, NASA, ESA, LROC, Ivanov et al., 2015

Tuesday / 12 Dec 2017

Space Policy Directive 1 Orders Human Return To Moon, Then Beyond

U.S. President Signs SPD-1, Redirecting National Space Policy For Human Expansion Across Solar System, Starting With Landing Humans On The Moon; Plans For Sustainable Program With Commercial & International Partners; National Space Council Scott Pace States “We Want To Expand & Include More Countries In That Effort”; USA To Launch Astronauts With Space Launch System & Orion Crew Vehicle For Moon Flyby ~2021; NASA 2019 Budget Request To Reflect New Directive; Guests Attended Signing Include Buzz Aldrin, Jack Schmitt, Peggy Whitson, Astronaut Candidate Christina Koch, Robert Lightfoot & Eric Stallmer

Credits: NASA, Aubrey Gemignani, CNN, Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum

Friday / 1 Dec 2017

JAXA And ISRO To Collaborate On Lunar Sample Return Mission

JAXA President Naoki Okumura And ISRO Chairman Kiran Kumar Sign Memorandum Of Understanding To Collaborate On Future Lunar Missions: Lander With Rover To Study Water & Return Soil Sample; Agencies To Finalize Implementation Agreement In Next 2 Months After Recent 24th Session Of Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum in Bengaluru; Also To Collaborate On Climate Change Monitoring

Credits: ThePrint, APRSAF, ISRO, JAXA

Thanksgiving Weekend Edition
Thu-Mon / 23-27 Nov 2017

Lunar Interests / Plans Accelerate Globally

Moon Village Association / ESA Records Progress At ISU In Strasbourg, France; US National Space Council Working Scenarios For 3-7 Year Human Moon Return; India Early 2018 Chandrayaan-2 Moon South Pole Touchdown Could Startle Global Space Communities; China Expanding Astronomy From The Moon Activities With Chang’e-4 VLF Payloads And Technology; India-Japan Announce Lunar Sample Return Collaboration; Canada Space Agency LEAD Project To Support International HERACLES Moon South Pole Mission Concept; Prospective Candidates For ‘First Woman On The Moon’ Rising

 Credits: ESA/ Foster + Partners, WH.gov, ISRO, CAST, JAXA, SPC / ILOA, CSA

Weekend Edition
Fri-Mon / 17-20 Nov 2017

ILOA Participating In Moon Village Association Workshop After Completing 10-Year Commemoration Of ILOA Organization

Moon Village Association 1st Workshop Being Hosted At ISU In Strasbourg, France 19-21 November Featuring ESA Director General Jan Woerner, Bernard Foing, Clive Neal, Experts From China, India, Japan, Russia, USA And Commercial Space Including International Lunar Observatory Association (ILOA);  10-Year Successful Observation Of ILOA Founding Celebrated This November With International Directors From Southeast Asia, Europe, Canada, China, Japan – And Specific Proposal Of ILOA Collaboration With Newly-Formed International Moonbase Alliance Of Hawaii Could Add Another Dimension To Global Goal Of Moon Village Advancement

Credits: ILOA, ESA, ISU