Category Archives: Lunar Science

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

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

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

Humans and Robots — Again

Posted on December 15, 2017 by Paul Spudis

I continue my musings on this perennial topic (and its relevance to the recent Presidential announcement) in a new post at Air & Space.  Comment here, if desired.

Posted in Lunar development, Lunar exploration, Lunar Science, Philosophy of science, planetary exploration, space policy, space technology | 15 Comments

Take a Step on Another World

Posted on November 30, 2017 by Paul Spudis

I have a new piece up at Air & Space on what it will be like to live and work on the Moon.  Comments welcome.

Posted in Lunar exploration, Lunar Science, space policy, space technology | 11 Comments

Are Humans Needed on the Moon?

Posted on November 26, 2017 by Paul Spudis

During my recent appearance on The Space Show, a caller questioned the need for people on the Moon. If teleoperated robots can be used to mine resources, manufacture useful products, and set up a lunar outpost, as I have proposed, … Continue reading →

Posted in Lunar exploration, Lunar Science, Philosophy of science, planetary exploration, space policy, space technology | 23 Comments

Jack Schmitt’s Lunar Memories

Posted on November 7, 2017 by Paul Spudis

Apollo 17 Lunar Module Pilot and Geologist Harrison H. (Jack) Schmitt has posted a new item on his web site: the beginning of a reminiscence of his historic flight, which departed for the Moon 44 years and 11 months ago … Continue reading →

Posted in Lunar exploration, Lunar Science, space technology, Space transportation | 4 Comments

Why We Go To The Moon – A Mission Statement

Posted on October 17, 2017 by Paul Spudis

I have a new blog post up at Air & Space on the need for a “mission statement” for our return to the lunar surface.  I advocated this during the VSE days, but lost that argument.  I believe this to … Continue reading →

Posted in Lunar development, Lunar exploration, Lunar Science, Philosophy of science, space policy, space technology, Space transportation | 17 Comments