Technical programme

A5.1. Strategies to Establish Lunar and Mars Colonies

Many studies of human lunar return have been conducted in the 35 years since the first Apollo Moon landing. Utilization and colonization of the Moon will require that a long term, sustainable strategy be developed - and followed. In addition, future lunar enterprise must be considered as part of an evolving space infrastructure that can utilize the goods and services stemming from a lunar colony to enhance or enable ever more ambitious human and robotic space exploration goals. This session will address strategic aspects of political, philosophical, legal and commercial “enablers”, including technological road maps and benefits to humanity that might result from human exploration and ultimately colonization. A goal of the session is the advancement of a strategy leading toward self-supporting colonies.

A5.2. Human and Robotic Partnerships to Realize Space Exploration Goals

This session seeks papers on new systems, and technologies needed for future human missions to the Moon and Mars, and the role of human and robotic partnerships to realize ambitious future space exploration goals, including human surface mobility systems (rovers); habitat/infrastructure construction, robotic assistants; and, precursor activities such as sample returns, in-situ plant growth and food production demonstration, Mars weather and seismic stations, etc.

A5.3. The Next Steps for Human Space Exploration: What are the Alternatives?