Lunar Missions for the Decade 2023-2033

Barbara Cohen,Ryan Watkins,Dana Hurley,Brett Denevi,Timothy Glotch,Mark Robinson,Renee Weber,Clive R Neal,Sam Lawrence

doi:10.3847/25c2cfeb.7caeba4e

Abstract

Whitepaper #312 submitted to the Planetary Science and Astrobiology Decadal Survey 2023-2032. Topics: surface/geological evolution; interior evolution and volcanism; solar system formation, dynamics processes, and chronology

Highlights

Lunar science presently has a well-developed slate of key science questions that are profoundly impactful for understanding the formation and evolution of the Solar System: How do terrestrial planetary bodies differentiate and lose heat over time? Was there a late heavy bombardment throughout the Solar System and when did it end? What is the origin and life cycle of volatile deposits on airless bodies? Consensus lunar science priorities have been described and reaffirmed in community documents: The Scientific Context for Exploration of the Moon (SCEM; National Research Council, 2007), Advancing Science of the Moon Specific Action Team report (ASMSAT; Lunar Exploration Analysis Group (LEAG) 2018a), and the Lunar Exploration Roadmap (e.g., Fagan, 2020)
In the course of preparing for the 2023 Decadal Survey, the Lunar Exploration Analysis Group (LEAG) held several activities to gain community input on the science that should be accomplished in the decade across a range of mission classes (New Frontiers, Discovery, SIMPLEX, etc.)
In this White Paper, we summarize these community-driven endorsements and make the following recommendations to the Decadal Survey:

Summary

A White Paper to the 2023 Planetary Science Decadal Survey

Authors: Barbara Cohen* (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center), LEAG Vice-Chair Sam Lawrence (NASA Johnson Space Flight Center), LEAG Chair Brett Denevi (JHU Applied Physics Laboratory), LEAG Vice-Chair Timothy Glotch (Stony Brook University) Dana Hurley (JHU Applied Physics Laboratory) Clive R. Neal (University of Notre Dame) Mark Robinson (Arizona State University) Ryan Watkins (Planetary Science Institute) Renee Weber (NASA Marshall Space Flight Center)

Introduction

New Frontiers Missions

Partnerships with other Science Directorates

Relationship to other NASA Agency activities