Lunar Field Exploration Science

Much, scientifically significant field exploration remains to be done by geologists on the Moon in spite of the remarkable accomplishments of the Apollo mission teams. Nearly 37 years of lunar sample analysis, and a continuing flow of information from orbiting sensors, has provided a first order understanding of many aspects of lunar history and it relationship to the Earth. On the other hand, new insights into the history and evolution of the sun and solar system, the Moon and planets, and life on Earth would come as a consequence of (1) field exploration of the lunar far-side, eastern and western limb regions, and polar regions; (2) deployment of global geophysical networks; and (3) geochemical characterization of surface and deep-seated eruptive sequences. Returning to the Moon will permit testing of the favored but troubled hypotheses for the giant impact origin of the Moon and for a single, cataclysmic, episode of large impacts about 3.85 Gyr ago. Alternative hypotheses of an independent accretion and capture origin for the Moon and of several, broadly spaced episodes of large basin formation in the inner solar system also can be tested by new samples, observations, and in situ geophysical and geochemical measurements. Further, quantitative understanding of the deep lunar interior and core requires extensive geophysical networks. Quantitative delineation of enhanced concentrations of solar wind hydrogen and helium near the lunar poles will continue documentation the potential of lunar resources for use in space and as an economically feasible energy source (helium-3) on Earth. As with all exploration, discovery of “unknown-unknowns” will provide underlying scientific and public excitement and present new questions to ask about the Moon and the solar system. Finally, exploration and operational techniques and systems developed for our return to the Moon will apply directly to future field exploration on Mars.