GEGSLA Newsletter | August 2023

Welcome to the GEGSLA Monthly Newsletter!

We're thrilled to present the 6th edition of the Global Expert Group on Sustainable Lunar Activities (GEGSLA) monthly newsletter. Your dedication and collaborative spirit continue to drive our progress. Within these pages, you'll find captivating updates and impactful initiatives that reflect our shared commitment to lunar exploration and sustainability.

Our journey is one of exploration and responsible action. By championing sustainability, we're shaping a future where lunar activities align with our planet's well-being and beyond. Let's continue to unite our strengths and amplify our impact. Your engagement fuels our collective progress.

India becomes First Country to Land in Lunar South Pole Region

India's space exploration history reached a significant milestone on August 23, 2023, as the ISRO - Indian Space Research Organization achieved a historic lunar landing with the Chandrayaan-3 mission. The mission, which touched down on the moon's surface at the south pole region, makes India the fourth nation to successfully achieve a soft landing on the lunar surface with a robotic craft, and the first to reach the lunar south pole. Chandrayaan-3's accomplishment holds the promise of groundbreaking lunar research, providing insights into lunar composition, geology, and resource potential, as well as supporting India's aspirations for sustained lunar presence and mining rights under the Artemis Accords. The mission further solidifies ISRO's position as a leading player in space exploration, showcasing the agency's resilience, innovation, and determination despite resource limitations. MVA is proud to have collaborated with ISRO on outreach efforts for Chandrayaan-3.

Roscosmos Considers New Moon Mission After Luna-25 Landing Crash

Russia's State Space Corporation Roscosmos has announced plans to assess a new lunar mission to the Moon's south pole in 2025-2026 following the uncompleted Luna-25 mission. Roscosmos Head Yury Borisov discussed the Lunar program's prospects after a meeting with the Luna-25 developers, emphasizing that the failed mission hasn't halted lunar exploration efforts. The decision comes after the Luna-25 automatic station's contact was lost and it subsequently crashed into the Moon's surface due to abnormal thruster operation. A special commission has been established to investigate the cause of the failure. Roscosmos remains committed to advancing lunar exploration despite this setback.

China and South Africa Form Partnership for Lunar Base Development

China and South Africa have established a significant collaboration in the field of space exploration by signing agreements during a BRICS nation leaders' meeting. Chinese President Xi Jinping inked two agreements with South Africa, marking their entry into the International Lunar Research Station project led by China and Russia. While details remain limited, these agreements signify a new era of cooperation as China seeks international allies, such as South Africa, to join its endeavors in space. As tensions strain traditional partnerships in space, this collaboration highlights the shifting landscape of global space initiatives.

Japan Delays Launch of X-Ray Telescope and Lunar Lander

JAXA: Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency has postponed the launch of two space missions, an X-ray telescope named XRISM (X-ray Imaging and Spectroscopy Mission) and an experimental robotic moon lander called SLIM (Smart Lander for Investigating Moon), due to unfavorable weather conditions. The missions were scheduled to launch from Japan's Tanegashima Space Center but were canceled less than 30 minutes before liftoff due to severe winds at higher altitudes. The XRISM telescope, developed in collaboration with NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the European Space Agency - ESA , aims to study cosmic X-rays, while SLIM is designed to demonstrate pinpoint navigation technology for lunar landings. JAXA has not yet announced a new launch date, but a reserved launch period is in place until September 15.

China's Yutu 2 Rover Uncovers Deep Lunar Layers on Far Side

China's Yutu 2 rover, part of the Chang'e 4 mission, has utilized its ground penetrating radar to reveal multiple layers up to 1,000 feet (300 meters) beneath the surface of the moon's far side. This data suggests a history of basalt eruptions billions of years ago. The study, led by Jianqing Feng at the Planetary Science Institute, discovered five distinct layers, with some primarily composed of basalt. The research provides insights into the moon's geological history and the effects of ancient volcanic activity. The Yutu 2 rover continues to operate and gather data, while China plans its Chang'e 6 mission to collect samples from the lunar far side next year.

Artemis 3 Rocket Upper Stage Arrives in Florida for Moon Mission

NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration 's Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, set to power the Artemis 3 mission sending astronauts to the Moon, has achieved a significant milestone with the arrival of its upper stage, the interim cryogenic propulsion stage (ICPS), at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station's Poseidon Wharf in Florida. The ICPS, built by United Launch Alliance (ULA) , will provide the propulsion necessary to send the crew aboard the Artemis 3 Orion spacecraft from low Earth orbit toward the Moon. While Artemis 3 is scheduled for 2025, concerns about the progress of the mission's human landing system, SpaceX 's Starship, may potentially lead to a delay into 2026.

Vikram Lander Records Surprisingly High Lunar Surface Temperature

ISRO - Indian Space Research Organisation has released data from its Chandrayaan-3 mission, revealing temperature variations on the lunar surface. The Chandra’s Surface Thermophysical Experiment (ChaSTE) payload aboard Vikram lander measured the temperature profile of the lunar topsoil, unexpectedly recording a high of 70°C. The payload, developed by ISRO's Space Physics Laboratory in collaboration with Physical Research Laboratory, includes a temperature probe with a controlled penetration mechanism capable of reaching 10 centimeters beneath the surface. The variations from 70°C to minus 10°C are intriguing for scientists, who are conducting detailed observations to understand the thermal behavior of the Moon's surface better.

Indian PM Modi proposes Creation of a BRICS Space Exploration Consortium at the 15th BRICS Summit

by Christophe Bosquillon

Upon witnessing live during the 15th BRICS summit on August 22nd-24th, 2023, the successful soft landing of Chandrayaan 3 on the Moon,?Indian PM Modi went ahead with a declaration in which he proposed the creation of a BRICS Space Exploration Consortium. Acknowledging to be already working on a BRICS satellite constellation, the PM considers the Consortium as a next step under which BRICS can work for global good in areas like space research and weather monitoring. PM Modi also insisted on the need for cooperation in education, skill development and technology, since, "to make BRICS a future ready organization, we have to make our societies future ready. Technology will play an important role in this".

DARPA Launches 10-Year Lunar Infrastructure Study for Future Lunar Economy

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has initiated a 10-Year Lunar Architecture (LunA-10) capability study to establish technology concepts that move beyond isolated scientific efforts towards a shareable and scalable lunar infrastructure for scientific research and commercial development. The study aims to facilitate the co-optimization of various infrastructure sectors, fostering a thriving lunar economy that spans lunar transmission, energy, communications, and other innovative orbital or surface concepts. DARPA anticipates collaborating with lunar providers and users, and the program is designed to identify key technologies that could catalyze economic growth on the Moon, complementing NASA's Moon to Mars Objectives.

Cost Competitiveness of India's Lunar Programme highlighted on BBC

by Christophe Bosquillon

Author, Professor, and Academic Entrepreneur Namrata Goswami discussed the significance of India's Lunar Rover in a short interview with BBC. As ISRO has released a video of the Pragyan rover rolling onto the lunar surface to study it for the next 14 Earth days (One Lunar Day), Namrata makes the point that the series of Chandrayaan missions ending up in a successful soft landing were developed at a significant lower budget compared with dominant space powers lunar missions. India's cost competitiveness will have to be taken into consideration in the industrial and commercial development of future lunar activities.?

BRICS Will Expand from 5 to 11 Countries in 2024, Including Emerging Space Countries

by Christophe Bosquillon

The BRICS original four founding members included Brazil, Russia, India, and China, to be further joined by a fifth member South Africa. At the occasion of their 15th Summit hosted in Johannesburg, the BRICS announced their expansion with six new members: from the Middle East, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Iran; from Africa, Egypt and Ethiopia; from Latin America, Argentina, effective January 1st, 2024. With this new grouping, the share of BRICS++ represents 29% of global GDP, 46% of world population, 43% of oil production, and 25% of export of goods. It also incorporates more Emerging Space Countries and adds on to the increased bearing of the Global South over space and lunar affairs.?

Microgravity, Dark Factories, and Emerging Space Countries Access from Earth Orbit to Cislunar Space and the Moon?

by Christophe Bosquillon

In a SpaceWatch Global series on microgravity applied to medicine and beyond, Christophe Bosquillon makes several points in relation to opportunities of access to commercial space stations that will succeed the ISS to be decommissioned in 2030: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4. As orbital micro-G R&D and manufacturing scale up for life sciences and industrial markets, automated and autonomous “dark factories” will emerge as the next orbital evolutionary step. They will also contribute as commercial and industrial outlets for lunar resources utilisation. As more orbital logistics become commercially available, Emerging Space Countries and the Global South will be able to operate on their own terms. This will enable their presence from orbit to the Moon, as well as access to and sharing of science, technology, education, and this universe of microgravity industrial value and culture. ?

Launch of GEGSLA Working Groups

The?Global Expert Group on Sustainable Lunar Activities (GEGSLA)?has initiated three working groups as part of its Operational Phase, in order to address key aspects of lunar exploration and activities. The working groups, namely Lunar Environmental Protection (WG 1), Lunar Technical Coordination (WG 2), and Lunar Multistakeholder Coordination (WG 3), will focus on ensuring environmental preservation, coordinating technical aspects, and fostering collaboration among various stakeholders in lunar endeavors. Esteemed co-chairs for each group have been selected to lead the efforts, with WG1 co-chaired by?Jean-Claude Worms?and?Ian Crawford, WG 2 co-chaired by?Timothy Cichan?and?Marchel Holle, and WG 3 co-chaired by?Yu Xu?and?Mark Sundahl.

Working Group 1 - Lunar Environmental Protection

WG 1 Members: Alice Gorman , Anne-Sophie MARTIN, Ph.D???? , Aya Farag, David Kendall , Edvaldo Silva, Farah Diya Yasmine , Flavia Alvim de Carvalho, Frank Koch , Marc Fournier, Naresh Vijayalakshmi Kannan , Oscar Mario Fernandez

Working Group 2 - Lunar Technical Coordination

WG 2 Members: Arvind Ramana , Juan Carlos Mariscal Gómez , Clara Richard , Ekaterina Seltikova , Hassan Abouseada , Laura Champion , Madison C. Feehan , Omolade Odetara , Suzanne Gillen , Dr. Bernd J. HOEFER , Shreya Santra, Ph.D , Tufan Kayaci

Working Group 3 - Lunar Multistakeholder Coordination

WG 3 Members: Alper OREN (PhD) , Christophe Bosquillon , Dennis O'Brien , Antonino Salmeri , Gennaro Russo , Irina Chernykh , It?r TOKS?Z , Kesniel Bravo , Lars Petzold , Parameswaran Sreekumar, Setsuko Aoki, Malak Trabelsi Loeb , Lilith Salisbury , soyoung chung , Natalia Lemarquis

We extend a heartfelt welcome to all new members of the GEGSLA Working Groups, and we cannot wait to share more about their exciting work!

GEGSLA Framework Translation Efforts

In order to foster more international involvement, the GEGSLA Recommended Framework is currently being translated into other languages. Starting with the United Nations official languages, the Chinese version of the framework has already been completed. This version is translated by GEGSLA participant Xu Yu and colleagues from the Translation & Interpretation Team of China Academy of Space Technology (CAST). You can find the Chinese version of the GEGSLA framework here. The Arabic translation has also been completed by GEGSLA participant Nasr A. Al-Sahhaf, and will be available online soon. Finally, the French translation is underway with significant progress being made.

We are currently looking for more volunteers to aid with the translation of the document into other languages, in particular Spanish and Russian. If you are interested in joining us as a volunteer and GEGSLA Participant, please fill out this Expression of Interest.

International Moon Day 2023

This year marked an incredible milestone with 41 countries coming together to host 48 events in honor of the International Moon Day. The Moon Village Association played a pivotal role in advocating for this celebration, which also serves as a bridge to the Global Expert Group on Sustainable Lunar Activities (GEGSLA). GEGSLA's framework for peaceful and sustainable lunar activities aligns with the goals of International Moon Day, and together, we're working to disseminate this framework and inspire future generations about the wonders of lunar exploration and sustainable utilization. Check out the IMD website to learn more about these advocacy efforts and the lunar events held around the world.

Job Vacancy: GEGSLA Implementation Support Officer

Step into the forefront of lunar exploration by becoming the Implementation Support Officer (ISO) for the Global Expert Group on Sustainable Lunar Activities (GEGSLA). As an ISO, you'll be able to shape the future of lunar activities while collaborating with global leaders. This paid role is for you if you would like to engage in vital communication, provide administrative support, and offer expert insights on policy, legal, and technical matters. If you're proficient in English, experienced in international settings, and eager to foster collaboration, this is your chance to play an essential role in the future of lunar sustainability. Don't miss this opportunity to make your mark—apply now and help define a level playing field for lunar endeavors!

Visit the Vacancy Notice to apply before September 10th, 2023.

Join as a GEGSLA Participant

If you're interested in joining GEGSLA as a participant in its?Operational Phase?and support the dissemination of the?Recommended Framework, you may express your interest at the form?here. This Expression of Interest form is?designed to gather information from individuals who are interested in becoming members of the group. It includes questions about the applicant's background, expertise, and interest in sustainable lunar activities. The purpose of this form is to recruit qualified individuals who can contribute to the group's mission of promoting sustainable and responsible lunar activities through the GEGSLA Framework.

Outreach Events on Lunar Coordination and the GEGSLA Framework

We invite all community members to join us in spreading lunar knowledge by organizing Outreach Events focused on Lunar Coordination and the GEGSLA Framework. Whether you're a seasoned space expert or simply curious about lunar advancements, outreach events provide a platform to discuss and learn about optimized lunar infrastructure and its implications for the future. It is a great opportunity to share insights, engage with fellow enthusiasts, and contribute to the expansion of lunar knowledge. If you are organizing an outreach event related to our work at GEGSLA or have any questions, please feel free to reach out to us at gegsla@moonvillageassociation.org

7th International Moon Village Workshop & Symposium

Join us at the 7th Global Moon Village Workshop & Symposium, organized by the Moon Village Association . This annual event gathers leaders in lunar exploration, space commerce, and science, providing insights into key themes driving humanity's journey to the Moon. This event, co-chaired by John Mankins?(Vice President, MVA) and Yoshifumi Inatani?(MVA Board, Professor Emeritus, ISAS/ JAXA: Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency ), is set to take place in Kurashiki and Tottori, Japan from December 7-10, 2023. The symposium covers a range of topics, including lunar programs, space resources, habitation, lunar commerce, legal aspects, and more. Don't miss out on this opportunity to stay updated on the latest advancements in lunar exploration. Visit the website to register here.

MVA Adaptive Governance Working Group

The?Adaptive Governance Working Group?(AGWG) of the?Moon Village Association?is dedicated to promoting cooperation, coordination and governance for peaceful and sustainable activities on the Moon, converging with the work of GEGSLA. Among its recent activities are the Registration Project, the inputs for the UN COPUOS LSC Working Group on Legal Aspects of Space Resource Activities and the ongoing Benefit Sharing Project (BSP). Get involved by contacting the WG secretary Jéssyka Nunes at?jessyka.nunes@moonvillageassociation.org

During the current Operational Phase, GEGSLA's main sponsor is?Lockheed Martin. We are grateful for their continued support in our efforts to foster sustainability and inclusion in future lunar activities. Our sponsors are essential players in making our vision for an international Moon Village a reality.

If you are interested in sponsoring GEGSLA's activities, you may contact us at?gegsla@moonvillageassociation.org?or donate directly to GEGSLA through the MVA website?here.

GEGSLA 3rd Operational Meeting

As we gear up for our next operational meeting on September 6th from 15:00 to 17:00 CEST, we're excited to unveil an incredible lineup of industry experts who will enrich our discussions and insights.

Join us in welcoming the following luminaries who will be sharing their invaluable perspectives on lunar exploration efforts:

• Timothy Cichan , Lockheed Martin , USA
• Professor Wang Wei, CNSA-China National Space Administration CLEP-China Lunar Exploration Program Deep Space Exploration Lab, China
• Marchel Holle , ispace, inc. , Japan (TBC)
• Jennifer Lopez , Astrobotic , USA
• Juan Carlos Mariscal Gómez , Dereum Labs , Mexico

These global leaders represent diverse commercial entities and nations, each contributing to the evolving landscape of lunar exploration. Their insights will not only shape our discussions but also contribute to our collective journey toward sustainable lunar activities.

These Operational Meetings are only open to GEGSLA Participants, so if you would like to attend you may express your interest in joining GEGSLA using the form?here.

GEGSLA at the UN Science Summit

We're excited to invite you to a special side event hosted by GEGSLA during the UN Science Summit. This virtual event, scheduled for Wednesday, September 20 at 10AM EDT, promises insightful discussions and thought-provoking insights into the potential of sustainable lunar activities to contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Summit for the Future.

Join us for engaging conversations about lunar sustainability, its alignment with the UN SDGs, and its potential to shape our global future. Gain insights from industry leaders, experts, and peers as we explore the diverse dimensions of lunar activities.

We look forward to your participation and encourage you to mark your calendar for this significant event. Stay connected and register to secure your spot – registration for the event is available at the UN Science Summit site here.

Together, let's pave the way for a sustainable lunar future that benefits all of humanity!

GEGSLA at the International Astronautical Congress in Baku

We're thrilled to announce GEGSLA's participation in the upcoming International Astronautical Congress (IAC) in Baku. GEGSLA Secretariat Dumitru-Dorin Prunariu , Giuseppe Reibaldi, and Sahba El-Shawa , along with fellow GEGSLA experts Ian Christensen and Yu XU, will present a paper titled "The Global Expert Group on Sustainable Lunar Activities: Recommended Framework and Key Elements for Peaceful and Sustainable Lunar Activities" as part of the 21st IAA Symposium on Visions and Strategies for the Future session D4: Contribution of Moon Village to Solving Global Societal Issues. This paper showcases the outcomes and future plans of GEGSLA, highlighting the Framework as well as its contributions to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the Summit of the Future. Join us at IAC to learn more about this exciting development and be a part of shaping the future of lunar exploration.

Contact Us

If you would like to share news or events in our next monthly newsletter, partner with GEGSLA, or highlight your organization's work, reach out to us at?gegsla@moonvillageassociation.org