On December 4, 2006, NASA announced the conclusion of its Global Exploration Strategy and Lunar Architecture Study.^[1] The Lunar Architecture Study's purpose was to "define a series of lunar missions constituting NASA's Lunar campaign to fulfill the Lunar Exploration elements" of the Vision for Space Exploration.^[2] What resulted was a basic plan for a crew-tended lunar outpost to be developed over five years, between 2019 through 2024, at one of the poles of the Moon, after which time it would become permanently occupied with astronauts taking six-month shifts, similar to the crew rotation aboard the International Space Station. December 4 is the 338th day of the year (339th on leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is an agency of the United States Government, responsible for that nations public space program. ... Image from NASA site Two planned configurations for a return to the moon, heavy lift (left) and crew (right) The Vision for Space Exploration is the United States space policy announced on January 14, 2004 by President George W. Bush. ... 2019 (MMXIX) will be a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 2024 (MMXXIV) will be a leap year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Apparent magnitude: up to -12. ... ISS redirects here. ...

The Lunar Outpost

A reference architecture has been established for this outpost, based on a location on the rim of the Shackleton crater, located in the immense South Pole-Aitken basin, near the Moon's south pole. Shackleton is a lunar crater that lies at the south pole of the Moon. ... The South Pole-Aitken basin is an impact crater on Earths Moon. ...

The outpost will include:

• habitation modules
• solar power units
• unpressurized rovers
• ISRU unit
• surface mobility carrier

The outpost would be supplied by a mixed crew and cargo Lunar Surface Access Module, capable of bringing four astronauts and a payload of 6 tons to the Moon's surface. ISS Habitation module (NASA) The U.S. built Habitation Module was scheduled to be the International Space Stations main living quarters. ... Solar power describes a number of methods of harnessing energy from the light of the sun. ... Lunar Rover-Manned land vehicle (NASA) The Lunar Roving Vehicle or Lunar rover or LRV is a land vehicle for use on the Moon. ... The LSAM launches its ascent stage to return the astronauts to Lunar Orbit. ...

As currently planned, an incremental buildup would begin with four-person crews making several seven-day visits to the moon until their power supplies, rovers and living quarters were operational. The first mission would begin by 2020. This would be followed by 180-day missions to prepare for journeys to Mars. 2020 (MMXX) will be a leap year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Note: This article contains special characters. ...

Justification

NASA proposes six "Lunar exploration themes" to answer the question "Why should we return to the Moon?"

1. Human Civilization: Extend human presence to the Moon to enable eventual settlement
2. Scientific Knowledge: Pursue scientific activities that address fundamental questions about the history of Earth, the solar system and the universe - and about our place in them
3. Exploration Preparation: Test technologies, systems, flight operations and exploration techniques to reduce the risks and increase the productivity of future missions to Mars and beyond
4. Global Partnerships: Provide a challenging, shared and peaceful activity that unites nations in pursuit of common objectives
5. Economic Expansion: Expand Earth's economic sphere, and conduct lunar activities with benefits to life on the home planet
6. Public Engagement: Use a lively space exploration program to engage the public, encourage students and help develop the high-technology workforce that will be required to address the challenges of tomorrow.^[3]

An artists rendering of a lunar base. ...

References

1. ^ "NASA Unveils Global Exploration Strategy and Lunar Architecture", 2006-12-04. Retrieved on 2007-01-12.
2. ^ Dale, Shana (2006-12-04). Exploration Strategy and Architecture. NASA. Retrieved on 2007-01-12.
3. ^ "Why The Moon?". Dec. 4, 2006

2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD (or CE) era. ... January 12 is the 12th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD (or CE) era. ... January 12 is the 12th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ...

External links

• Exploration strategy and architecture PDF