Discoveries from LRO (Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter) have transformed our knowledge of the Moon, but LRO's instruments were originally designed to collect the measurements required to enable future lunar surface exploration. Compelling science questions and critical resources make the Moon a key destination for future human and robotic exploration. Lunar surface exploration, including rovers and other landed missions, must be part of a balanced planetary science and exploration portfolio. Among the highest planetary exploration priorities is the collection of new samples and their return to Earth for more comprehensive analysis than can be done in-situ. The Moon is the closest and most accessible location to address key science questions through targeted sample return. The Moon is the only other planet from which we have contextualized samples, yet critical issues need to be addressed: we lack important details of the Moon's early and recent geologic history, the full compositional and age ranges of its crust, and its bulk composition.


    Access

    Access via TIB

    Check availability in my library


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Building on the Cornerstone: Destinations for Nearside Sample Return


    Contributors:

    Conference:

    2016 Annual Meeting of the Lunar Exploration Analysis Group (LEAG 2016) ; 2016 ; Columbia, MD, United States


    Publication date :

    2016-11-01


    Type of media :

    Conference paper


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English




    Nearside Position Mooring

    Olsen, Alexander Arnfinn | Springer Verlag | 2024


    Toucan crossing : trials of nearside equipment

    Ryley, T. / Halliday, M. / Emmerson, P. | TIBKAT | 1998


    Anorthosite on the Lunar Nearside and Farside

    Peterson, C. A. / Hawke, B. R. / Lucey, P. G. et al. | British Library Conference Proceedings | 1996


    Injury Causation Scenarios in Belt-Restrained Nearside Child Occupants

    Locey, Caitlin M. / Jermakian, Jessica S. / Arbogast, Kristy B. et al. | SAE Technical Papers | 2007


    Compressibility Behavior of a Nearside Highland Regolith Simulant

    Thompson, J. / Walton-Macaulay, C. / Constantino, F. | TIBKAT | 2021