Author Archives: Paul Spudis

An Architecture for Direct Lunar Return Using SLS and Orion

Posted on August 2, 2018 by Paul Spudis

I have been asked recently by several people to lay out an architecture for direct lunar return.  This includes what is required (e.g. LOP-G or no LOP-G?), how the pieces fit together and the likely outcome of such a program.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Lunar development, Lunar exploration, space industry, space policy, space technology, Space transportation, Uncategorized | 11 Comments

Will Lunar Return Harm the Moon?

Posted on July 6, 2018 by Paul Spudis

I have some thoughts at the Air and Space site about the possible environmental impact of lunar development.  Have a look and comment, if desired.

Posted in Lunar development, Lunar exploration, space industry, space policy, space technology | 6 Comments

A Foothold, Not Just Footprints

Posted on May 25, 2018 by Paul Spudis

New post up at Air and Space, where I look at the rationale and reasons for lunar return.  Are we on track to do the right thing?

Posted in Lunar development, Lunar exploration, Lunar Science, space policy, space technology | 7 Comments

Jim Bridenstine confirmed as NASA Administrator

Posted on April 19, 2018 by Paul Spudis

New post up at Air & Space discussing today’s confirmation of Rep. Jim Bridenstine as the 12th Administrator of NASA and some of the challenges he faces in plotting a course back to the Moon.  Comment here, if desired.

Posted in Lunar development, Lunar exploration, space policy, space technology, Space transportation | 15 Comments

Have We Lost the Moon?

Posted on April 8, 2018 by Paul Spudis

There was real excitement in the lunar community last fall when Vice President Mike Pence announced, during a meeting of the reconstituted National Space Council, that the next step in human spaceflight would be our return to the Moon. Advocates … Continue reading →

Posted in Lunar development, Lunar exploration, Lunar Science, space industry, space policy | 36 Comments

The New NASA Budget and “Hurrying” Back to the Moon

Posted on February 14, 2018 by Paul Spudis

When new budgets are issued, our first instinct is to see how much we were allocated and then moan about why it isn’t enough. It’s no different with the new NASA budget, and so the predictable responses have started. Budgets … Continue reading →

Posted in Lunar development, Lunar exploration, planetary exploration, space policy, space technology, Space transportation | 15 Comments

The Lunar Anthropic Principle

Posted on February 7, 2018 by Paul Spudis

New post over at Air & Space on what I am calling the “Lunar Anthropic Principle.”  Is humanity destined to live on the Moon?  Comment here, if desired.

Posted in Lunar development, Lunar exploration, Philosophy of science, space policy | 9 Comments

Polar “Lava Tubes”

Posted on January 16, 2018 by Paul Spudis

An abstract at the recent “Landed Science for Landed Missions Workshop” (and subsequent press release) from the SETI Institute claiming the discovery of lava tubes near the north pole of the Moon has gotten a lot of media play.  The … Continue reading →

Posted in Lunar development, Lunar exploration, Lunar Science | 21 Comments

How Much Water is on the Moon?

Posted on January 5, 2018 by Paul Spudis

I have a new post up at Air & Space that discusses the techniques used to sense water remotely and the amounts of water that may be found in the lunar polar regions.  This post was motivated in part by … Continue reading →

Posted in Lunar development, Lunar exploration, Lunar Science | 14 Comments

Inconstant Moon

Posted on December 22, 2017 by Paul Spudis

I’d like to point readers’ attention to this wonderful visualization tool produced by the Scientific Visualization Studio at NASA Goddard Spaceflight Center and the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Project.  It’s a program that reproduces the Moon’s phase, position in its orbit, … Continue reading →

Posted in Lunar exploration, Lunar Science, space technology | 8 Comments