Science Priorities for the Lunar Exploration Architecture

Bradley L. Jolliff
Earth and Planetary Sciences, Washington University, St. Louis, MO

Science activities for future lunar exploration, including at an outpost site, are dominated by lunar and planetary science objectives, but also include astrophysics, heliophysics, earth science, planetary protection, and environmental characterization. Some activities relate purely to science, whereas others relate integrally to exploration. Key lunar and planetary science objectives are to investigate (1) Moon’s record of the impact history of the inner solar system, (2) internal structure and dynamics of the Moon, (3) composition and evolution of its crust and mantle, (4) nature and history of solar and other radiation through investigation of paleoregolith layers, and (5) investigation of polar volatile deposits. Exploration science includes better delineation of the characteristics and distribution of potential resources, including regolith that is rich in solar-wind gases and verification of volatile-element deposits in permanently shaded craters at the poles, as well as improved understanding of hazards to sustained human presence. High priorities for astrophysics include (1) meter-wavelength radio observations from the radio-quiet lunar farside to seek evidence of the strongly red-shifted 21-cm H line from the early universe and (2) retroreflectors or transponders for accurate tests of gravitational theory. For Earth science, the Moon provides a stable and serviceable platform for global, long-term, full-spectrum views of Earth to address climate variability, pollution sources and transport, natural hazards, and changes in the terrestrial cryosphere. For heliophysics, the Moon is a unique vantage point from which to better understand the Sun-Earth space environment. Work is needed to develop predictive capabilities for solar radiation events to safeguard human exploration activities and to better understand the dust-plasma environment at the lunar surface.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90078©2008 AAPG Annual Convention, San Antonio, Texas