Category Archives: Moon Exploration

Weekend Edition
Fri-Mon / 4-7 May 2018

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ILOA / Galaxy Forum 10 Years On

International Lunar Observatory Association (ILOA) Board Of Directors Meeting 25 May During ISDC In Los Angeles Will Consider 4 Lunar Mission Update Including Project Partners Moon Express & Canadensys, Human Moon Mission, First Women On The Moon Initiative – Highlighted In 2018 Application For IAF 3G Diversity Award, Astronomy From The Moon Major Advancements At Events: NVM2, 232nd AAS, 30th IAU GA, Galaxy Forum Europe – Vienna In Aug, Galaxy Forum Hainan 4-7 Dec China, Galaxy Forum Japan Feb 2019 TBD; ILOA Strategic MMoU Principal Operating Partnership Gaining Momentum Toward Feb 2019 Southeast Asia Benefactors Reception In Singapore

Credits: ILOA, GF, SPC, NASA, Canadensys, ME, ESA, CNSA, ISRO

Friday / 4 May 2018

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Commercial Lunar Payload Services To Build Upon Successes Of Lunar CATALYST, Commercial Resupply / Crew Programs

New NASA Program Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) To Award Contracts To Private Enterprises For Delivering Science And Tech Demonstration Payloads To Moon Surface; Industry Day Being Held At NASA HQ In Washington DC 8 May To Discuss Draft Request For Proposals; Companies Such As Moon Express, Astrobotic, Masten, Past GLXP Contenders Already Developing Lunar Landers In Prime Position To Accelerate USA Return To Moon, Support Space Policy Directive 1; Blue Origin With Vision Of ‘A Trillion People Living & Working In Space’ Planning New Armstrong Rocket, Blue Moon System For 4,500-kg Cargo Deliveries

Credits: Moon Express, Astrobotic, Masten Space Systems, Blue Origin, Bigelow Aerospace

Weekend Edition
Fri-Mon / 27-30 Apr 2018

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Science And Moon Experts Advise Reinstatement Of Resource Prospector Mission

Lunar Exploration Analysis Group Chairs (L-R) Samuel Lawrence And Clive Neal Urge NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine To Reestablish Resource Prospector (RP) Mission Vital For Lunar Economy, Space Exploration; Letter States Cancellation Of NASA Only Polar Lander-Rover Mission A Source Of Incredulity And Dismay To Community; Critical To Provide Strong Leadership As 6 International Lunar Lander Missions Planned Into 2025; International Lunar Observatory Association And Space Age Publishing Company Support RP Reinstatement Within Context of Space Policy Directive 1, Dedication Of Human Return To Moon, First Women On Moon Initiative

Credits: NASA, University of Notre Dame, LEAG, ILOA

Wednesday / 25 Apr 2018

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China Solicits Ideas For Human Moon Landers From All Its Citizens

China Manned Space Engineering Office, Headed By 1st China Astronaut Yang Liwei (TR), Launches Contest To Find Creative Schemes For Vehicle To Land Humans On Moon And Ascend Back; Chief Engineer Zhou Jianping (L) Encourages Entire Public To Provide Ideas, Including Research Institutions, Businesses, And Students; China Aerospace Science And Technology Corporation, Headed By Wu Yansheng, Prepares Heavy Carrier Rockets To Support Human Moon Landing

Credits: CMSE, CASC

Weekend Edition
Fri-Mon / 20-23 Apr 2018

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Lunar Community Optimistic That Bridenstine Could Further Plans To Return To Moon

In 50-49 Vote, US Senate Confirms Jim Bridenstine As 13th NASA Administrator; Bridenstine States Readiness To Work With Outstanding Team At NASA Toward Administration’s Vision To Return To Moon, Reach Deep Space, Beyond; Has Shown Support For Cislunar Presence, Permanent Moonbase, Utilizing Lunar Resources, Regulating Commercial Spaceflight; Has Potential To Advance NASA Lunar Exploration Campaign, Lunar Orbital Platform-Gateway, National / International / Commercial Collaborations

Credits: NASA, CNN, Jim Bridenstine

Friday / 20 Apr 2018

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New Views From The Moon 2 – Asia 2018 In Japan Exchanging International Lunar Research, Mission Plans

University of Aizu, Japan, and Lunar and Planetary Institute Host NVM2 Conference 18-20 April 2018 With ~55 International Lunar Experts Covering Topics Including Landing Sites, Astronomy From The Moon, Lava Tubes, Geology, Volatiles, Lunar Space Elevator; 8 International South Pole Landers Identified For Missions By 2025, Collaborations Needed To Avoid Duplication, Maximize Science And Determine Where To Lead Investigations; LEAG Commercial Advisory Board Of ~30 Members Planning Next CAB Meeting 19 June

Pictured: Clive Neal, Ben Bussey, Makiko Ohtake, (Steve) Liu Yang, Carle Pieters, Junya Terazono; Image Credits: Univ. of Aizu, Univ. of Notre Dame, NASA, Brown Univ., JAXA, ISRO, KARI, ESA, Roscosmos, CNSA, LPI, ILOA

Wednesday / 18 Apr 2018

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SSTL, Goonhilly To Advance Commercial Communications From The Moon With 2 New Agreements

Surrey Satellite Technology (SSTL), Goonhilly Earth Station (GES), ESA Sign Agreement To Further Long-Term Lunar Commercial Missions, Sustainability, Telecommunications, Navigation Infrastructure In A Low-Risk, Phased Approach; SSTL Founder Sir Martin Sweeting Comments Moon Is Next Frontier; ESA Director Dave Parker States Agreement Could Lead To Lower Costs, Scientific Opportunities; Lunar Pathfinder Payload Begins At £1M / kg, Flight Expected 2022; SSTL & GES Also Sign Formalized Agreement With Astrobotic For Its Lunar Surface Payload Communications Needs Starting 2020

Credits: SSTL, ESA, Astrobotic / John Thornton

Weekend Edition
Fri-Mon / 13-16 Apr 2018

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Leaders Of Scientific Community And ILOA Advocating For Moon Return

Letter To USA Congress From Lunar Leaders Highlight Enthusiasm For NASA FY 2019 US$19.9B Budget Request To Return Humans To The Moon, Research Lunar Resources, Explore Lunar Tubes And Magnetic Anomalies; 72 Signatories Include Astronaut Jack Schmitt, James Head III, Clive Neal, Paul Spudis, Wendell Mendell, Bob Richards, Dan Hendrickson; USA Hawai`i-Based International Lunar Observatory Association Continues To Support And Encourage Return To Moon As Apollo 11 50th Observation Fast Approaches In 2019 

Credits: NASA, ILOA, Brown University, Lynn Rothschild, University of Notre Dame, Lunar and Planetary Society, Bob Richards, Astrobotic

Wednesday / 11 Apr 2018

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International Space Exploration Coordination Group Promotes Importance Of Moon In New Global Exploration Roadmap

ISECG, Comprised Of 15 Space Agencies, Helps Advance International Station In Lunar Orbit For The 2020s; Kathy Laurini, NASA Senior Adviser For Space Exploration & Operations, Says NASA Plans To Develop Lunar Orbiting Platform-Gateway In Alignment With The Global Exploration Roadmap; Solicitation To Be Issued This Month For 1st Gateway Element – Power & Propulsion Module – Aiming To Launch In 2022; ISECG Is Currently Chaired By Naoki Satoh Of JAXA

Credits: ISECG, NASA, JAXA

Weekend Edition
Fri-Mon / 6-9 Apr 2018

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ILOA Announces Galaxy Forum Hainan 2018: China, Themed International Human Moon Missions, And Astronomy From The Moon

Registration Now Open For 4-7 December 2018 Galaxy Forum Hainan Being Held At Hilton Wenchang On Hainan Island, China’s Southernmost Province; Featured Speakers Include Dr. Andy Aldrin, Prof. Ziyuan Ouyang, Astronaut Soyeon Yi, ILOA Director Steve Durst, Dr. Maohai Huang, Dr. David Schrunk, Dr. Chris Sallaberger; Participation Will Come From Global Commercial, International, National Representatives; Sponsors / Supporters Are International Lunar Observatory Association, Chinese Society Of Astronautics, National Astronomical Observatories Of China, International Astronautical Federation, Canadian Space Agency

Credits: ILOA, SPC, CSA, NAOC, IAF, CSA-ASC