IMPLICATIONS FOR FUTURE HUMAN EXPLORATION FROM RECENT ROBOTIC MISSIONS

The Moon is a witness plate to the history and evolution of the solar system since its formation ~4.6 Ga. Our understanding of different aspects of the Moon and the solar system processes recorded there range from detailed to non-existent. Despite samples from the Apollo and Luna missions, experiments deployed during Apollo, and a suite of robotic mission, numerous questions remain. Recent robotic missions from China, Japan, India, ESA and the United States have provided a wealth of new data. While each mission carried a different suite of instruments and had a somewhat different set of scientific objectives; together the data provide an unprecedented view of the Moon. Some of the more important results include: identification of water ice in north polar craters (LRO Mini RF); measurement of temperatures in permanently shadowed (LRO Diviner and Chang’e radiometer); identification of extensive adsorbed and bound H2O and OH (Chandrayaan M3); recognition of significant areas of pure anorthosite and olivine (Kaguya); definition of the far-side gravity field (Kaguya); global topographic maps (Kaguya, Chang’e and LRO laser altimeters); global elemental maps using (gamma- and X-ray Chandrayaan, Chang’e and Kaguya); and the LCROSS impact into a polar shadowed area. These data will allow progress to be made on many of the outstanding questions of lunar science. But, many of the questions require detailed field mapping and sampling that cannot be done from orbit and which are difficult with a surface robotic vehicle. For example, one of the key questions is the bombardment history of the Moon and the inner solar system. Addressing this question requires the careful selection of melt material formed during the impact event. This is perhaps most efficiently done during human exploration. Another question is the origin and history of the lunar regolith. Understanding this question will require the careful analysis of cross-sections (i.e., trenches) of the regolith. Again, the agility and dexterity of a human facilitates such sampling and analysis. The presence of humans as agents of exploration also allow for serendipitous discoveries (e.g., orange soil as Shorty Crater). Data from the robotic missions will allow more certain planning of scientific objectives during human exploration activities.