A Framework for International Collaboration on Lunar Missions

Paper number

IAC-16,D3,1,6,x33560

Author

Mr. Peter Thoreau, International Space University (ISU), Australia

Author

Ms. Shireen Basheer, ISU, France

Coauthor

Mr. Julien Bernard, International Space University (ISU), France

Coauthor

Mr. Mohamed Makthoum, International Space University (ISU), India

Coauthor

Mr. Mads Jacob Kalisz Hedegaard, International Space University (ISU), Denmark

Coauthor

Ms. Anushree Soni, International Space University (ISU), Canada

Coauthor

Mr. Paul Wohrer, International Space University (ISU), France

Coauthor

Mr. Gagan Agrawal, France

Year

2016

Abstract

This paper addresses the topic of deep surface lunar drilling mission feasibility through a proprietary 3I (intercultural, international, interdisciplinary) framework. Scientific, political, economic, business, and cultural rationales are discussed and engineering capabilities and trade-offs are reviewed. The motivation for this feasibility study is derived from a renewed interest through missions from NASA, ESA, Roscosmos, JAXA, ISRO and CASC with recent talks on permanent human and robotic presence on the Moon. It also stems from the increasing commercial interest in the Moon, with private industry participants aiming to extract Moon’s natural resources and self-fund exploration and scientific missions, all in the context of developing and profiting from a future lunar and cislunar economies.

A set of scientific and engineering objectives were devised to limit the scope of the study. The paper focuses on a minimum viable engineering mission architecture to develop a drilling system, execute a soft landing on the Moon, deploy the drill to a depth of at least 20m, recover and analyze samples, and return data back to Earth. Scientific exploration trade-offs related to landing location, and types of experiments and instrumentation, as well as engineering trade-offs of key systems are analyzed and synthesized. Based on the literature available for both past and proposed government/private lunar missions, this paper also highlights the combined effects of state and space agencies’ policies, international collaboration, economic rationales, business objectives, and societal impacts of a deep drilling lunar mission. Considerations related to exploration, exploitation, property rights, and other legal aspects are discussed in relation to a selected subset of mission scenarios and potential future international law frameworks. The paper also provides recommendations on mitigating the various challenges faced by different stakeholders, analyzes various cases related to funding, TRL access, risk aversion costs, marketing, and outreach while presenting a holistic view of complementary opportunities for public and private stakeholders. Finally, the study aims to add new perspectives for future missions to the Moon and thus contribute to space development.

Abstract document

IAC-16,D3,1,6,x33560.brief.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-16,D3,1,6,x33560.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

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