MOON SCIENCE, AN INTERNATIONAL COMMITMENT.

The following is a direct quote from the NASA Lunar Science Institute's (NLSI) mission statement:

1. "carrying out and supporting collaborative research in lunar science, investigating the Moon itself, and using the Moon as a unique platform for other investigations,"
2. "providing scientific and technical perspectives to NASA on its lunar research programs, including developing investigations for current and future space missions,"
3. "supporting development of the lunar science community and training the next generation of lunar science researchers; and,"
4. "supporting Education and Public Outreach by providing scientific content for K-14 education programs, and communication directly with the public."

Those four major tasks are certainly more than just a passing notice of the scientific importance of getting to know our Moon better and more fully.  It is a positive indicator that planetary scientists recognize the valuable contribution Lunar studies will make toward our understanding of our solar system.  The idea of a Moon Base is included in those mission plans and in actuality propose a practice that closely parallels the concept of an International Lunar Research Park proposed by the Moon Society.

NSLI is already living up to its commitment for an international representation on its staff. Currently the scientific staff membership includes scientists from Canada, Korea, United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, and Israel. The list of foreign partners will continue to expand as additional scientists join NSLI.  This commitment to an international research effort clearly and officially recognizes that the Moon belongs to all humankind and is not the unique possession of any one nation.

The LADEE project: An imminent mission is the launching of an investigative spacecraft to examine the lunar atmosphere and dust environment with the project acronym LADEE. The planning calls for a launch schedule for the year 2011. The purpose is to gather basic environmental data before it is disrupted by increased and extended human operations on the Moon.  The spacecraft is planned as an orbiter rather than a rover.

Want to learn more? Visit the NSLI website here, and also you can elect to directly address questions to a Lunar Scientist.  Most importantly as you can see, the Moon is not a forgotten mission objective, despite current political decisions.  We all have a responsibility in this regard to not let NSLI lapse into Moon dreams by being advocates for its programs and for full WhiteHouse and Congressional support of the international exploration of the Moon.