GEGSLA Newsletter | November 2023

Welcome to the GEGSLA Monthly Newsletter!

We are delighted to introduce the 8th edition of the Global Expert Group on Sustainable Lunar Activities (GEGSLA) monthly newsletter. Your unwavering dedication and collaborative efforts remain the cornerstone of our achievements. In the following pages, you will discover compelling updates and meaningful endeavors that mirror our mutual dedication to lunar exploration and sustainability.

Our expedition is one marked by exploration and conscientious action. By advocating for sustainability, we are forging a path towards a future where lunar activities harmonize with the welfare of our planet and beyond.

Global Expansion of Artemis Accords: The Netherlands and Bulgaria Join Forces with NASA

In a significant expansion of international cooperation in space exploration, NASA has recently welcomed two new signatories to the Artemis Accords: the Netherlands and Bulgaria. This development marks a growing global commitment to the peaceful and transparent exploration of space, enhancing opportunities for discovery and innovation.

On November 1st, 2023, the Netherlands, represented by Harm van de Wetering, director of the Netherlands Space Office (NSO), became the 31st nation to join the Artemis Accords. The signing ceremony, held at the Dutch Ambassador’s Residence in Washington, was attended by key figures including NASA Administrator Bill Nelson and Birgitta Tazelaar, the Dutch ambassador to the United States. Nelson highlighted the significance of this partnership, especially given the historical ties between the two nations.

Following closely on November 9th, Bulgaria, with Milena Stoycheva, the minister of innovation and growth, at the helm, signed the accords at NASA Headquarters, becoming the 32nd member. The ceremony was graced by the presence of Georgi Panayotov, the Bulgarian ambassador to the United States, and Sonata Coulter from the U.S. Department of State. Nelson expressed his enthusiasm for Bulgaria’s commitment, underscoring the potential benefits of this collaboration for the Artemis Generation and beyond.

The Artemis Accords, spearheaded by NASA, aim to foster an era of exploration that is peaceful, safe, and transparent, with an emphasis on lunar exploration and beyond. These recent additions signify a growing international consensus on the importance of cooperative exploration in space. The Netherlands and Bulgaria's participation are expected to open new avenues for technological advancement, research, and a shared understanding of our universe.

As more nations join the Artemis Accords, the prospects for collective achievements in space exploration become increasingly promising, paving the way for a future where space exploration unites nations in a common goal. The involvement of a diverse range of countries enriches the project, bringing a multitude of perspectives, expertise, and resources to the table. This global partnership stands as a testament to humanity's enduring fascination with the cosmos and the boundless possibilities it holds.

China Partners with UAEs University of Sharjah for Moon Base Project

China has expanded its international collaborations for its ambitious moon base project by adding the United Arab Emirates' (UAE) University of Sharjah (UoS) to its list of partners. This partnership was formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on November 14 between the Deep Space Exploration Laboratory (DSEL) and UoS, focusing on the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS). The MoU, signed by DSEL Director Wang Zhongmin and UoS Chancellor Hamid Majoul Al Nuaimi, aims to foster cooperation in scientific experiments, data exchange, teaching, training, and the development of space exploration capabilities. The agreement was announced ahead of the 14th Arabic Conference of the Arab Union for Astronomy and Space Sciences at UoS, highlighting the growing international interest in lunar exploration.

China's ILRS project, led by the newly established ILRSCO in Hefei, Anhui province, envisions constructing a permanent lunar base in the 2030s, with preliminary missions planned for the 2020s. This initiative, seen as a potential competitor to NASA's Artemis Program, is drawing international attention, including from the UAE. Despite the UAE's earlier commitment to the Artemis Accords, its involvement with the ILRS remains ambiguous. An earlier agreement between the UAE's MBR Space Center and China for a lunar rover mission, planned for 2026, faced complications under the U.S. government's International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). China's continued outreach, including an announcement for payload opportunities on the Chang’e-7 lunar mission, indicates a strengthening of their lunar exploration program with European collaboration at the payload level, setting the stage for a new era in space exploration partnerships.

Italy Reinforces Space Collaboration with the USA, Focusing on Lunar Exploration

Teodoro Valente, President of the Italian Space Agency, recently completed a significant visit to the United States, aiming to strengthen the collaboration between Italian and American space sectors. His journey, encompassing visits to Houston, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C., involved strategic meetings with officials from Congress, the White House, the State Department, and NASA, as well as roundtable discussions with leading space companies. Highlighting Italy's commitment to international space collaboration, Valente underscored Italy's role as a key partner in the Lunar Gateway project and a signatory of the Artemis Accords, demonstrating its keen interest in lunar exploration and research.

During his visit, Valente emphasized Italy's priorities in the space sector, including enhancing Earth observation capabilities and advancing exploration missions to the Moon and Mars, in partnership with NASA. With the Italian government doubling its space sector investment in the past year, the focus is also on scientific research in orbit, particularly in fields like artificial intelligence and new materials. Despite the challenges of justifying space program investments, this trip marks a significant step towards deeper Italy-U.S. collaboration, promising to advance lunar exploration, foster innovation, and stimulate industry growth and development in the space domain.

The Moon Village Association and Human Space Program have signed a Memorandum of Understanding

The Moon Village Association (MVA) and The Human Space Program, Inc. (HSP) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), aiming to strengthen cooperation between the NGOs, particularly as it relates to the intersections between lunar exploration and environmentalism. The MoU was signed on November 5 by Giuseppe Reibaldi, President of MVA, and Frank White, President of HSP.

MVA has recently taken massive strides in this area, especially through the work of its Global Expert Group on Sustainable Lunar Activities (GEGSLA). As GEGSLA proceeds with its Operational phase, a working group dedicated to Lunar Environmental Protection has been formed to expand on the recommendations outlined in the GEGSLA Recommended Framework for Peaceful and Sustainable Lunar Activities. MVA has a vested interest in reaching both space and non-space actors in order to disseminate the GEGSLA Framework and how lunar exploration relates to sustainability on Earth.

HSP is an international initiative focusing on the broader implications of space exploration. It serves as a nexus for diverse stakeholders to come together and deliberate on the mutual impacts of space migration and the Earth’s environment. With its pivotal project, “Making Space for the Environment,” HSP aims to overcome the dichotomy between environmental and space interests, demonstrating how space initiatives can be aligned with environmental sustainability goals. Central to HSP’s vision is the holistic understanding of the solar ecosystem as an extension of our environment, advocating for responsible expansion and sustainable strategies for the future of humankind. HSP is also developing a computer-based simulation model to demonstrate the tradeoffs between sustainable space migration and the ecological carrying capacity of the Earth.

The purpose of this MoU is to strengthen collaboration between the Parties to advance the understanding of the Moon-Earth ecosystem and promote outer space as an essential aspect of our shared environment. This cooperation will emphasize the interconnectedness of space and Earth’s environmental concerns, bridging the divide between environmentalists and space enthusiasts. This partnership lays the foundation for a harmonized approach in merging space endeavors with global environmental objectives.

Intuitive Machines Sets January 2024 for Historic U.S. Lunar Mission

by Christophe Bosquillon

Intuitive Machines, Inc., a leading space exploration, infrastructure, and services company,?has announced that in coordination with SpaceX, liftoff of the IM-1 lunar mission is now targeted for a multi-day launch window which opens January 12, 2024.?“As previously announced, Intuitive Machines completed its lunar lander in September, and the entire company is looking forward to our upcoming launch,” said Steve Altemus, Co-Founder, President, and Chief Executive Officer. “There are inherent challenges of lunar missions; schedule changes and mission adjustments are a natural consequence of pioneering lunar exploration. Receiving a launch window and the required approvals to fly is a remarkable achievement, and the schedule adjustment is a small price to pay for making history.”

Astrolab announces $160 million in new contracts, 5 customers out of 8 release their payload details?

by Christophe Bosquillon

On 21 November 2023, Venturi Astrolab, Inc. aka Astrolab announced it had reached an agreement with eight enterprise customers to use its Flexible Logistics and Exploration (FLEX) rover to deploy the customers’ payloads on Astrolab’s upcoming mission to the Moon which is known as Mission 1. Five customers have released details of their payloads:?Argo Space, Astroport, Avalon Space, Interstellar Lab, and LifeShip, which we review below. Three more customers are contracted with Astrolab but intend to release details of their payloads at a future date, closer to launch. Collectively, these eight contracts are valued at more than $160 million.

Argo Space Corp. of Hermosa Beach, California, and Astroport Space Technologies of San Antonio, Texas, are making significant strides in lunar technology and infrastructure development. Argo aims to deploy a payload using FLEX to advance its technology for harvesting water from lunar regolith, a major step towards building a lunar economy and enabling in-space transportation. Astroport, on the other hand, intends to melt regolith to create bricks for lunar infrastructure, such as roads and shelters, using a proof-of-concept payload to test sieving and grain separation technology. Meanwhile, Avalon Space of Toronto plans to leverage FLEX for a range of experiments to bolster the emerging lunar economy, while Interstellar Lab of Ivry-sur-Seine, France, and Kennedy Space Center, Florida, is set to deploy plant pods on the Moon to study their growth in the lunar environment. LifeShip, Inc. of San Diego, California also plans to use FLEX to transport a DNA seed bank and data archive to the Moon, contributing to the preservation of Earth's biodiversity and humanity's legacy in space.

As noted by Sylvester Kakzmarek in his analysis, Astrolab is also developing an astronaut-carrying version of the FLEX rover, offering it to NASA for the agency's Lunar Terrain Vehicle competition. ?

ispace announces Mission 2 with unveiling of its micro rover design

by Christophe Bosquillon

On November 16, 2023, ispace, inc. from Japan unveiled the final design of its micro rover, which will be transported to the surface of the Moon by its lunar lander as part of exploration activities during Mission 2. Mission 2, part of the HAKUTO-R lunar exploration program, will serve as the company’s second technological demonstration, with the objective of further validating the lander’s design and technology, and ispace’s business model to provide reliable lunar transportation and data services. The micro rover is being developed with co-funding from the Luxembourg?Space Agency through a European Space Agency contract with the Luxembourg National Space Programme, LuxIMPULSE. The rover is scheduled to be loaded onto the lander in Japan in the summer of 2024. Mission 2 is expected to launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket no earlier than Winter 2024.

Jeff Bezos shows off new Moon lander design for NASA

by Christophe Bosquillon

Blue Origin has unveiled a mock-up of the Blue Moon lander it says will be ready to fly to the Moon within the next three years as a precursor to human landings on a larger vehicle, perhaps at the end of the decade.?Jeff Bezos, the billionaire founder of Blue Origin, recently showed off the "low-fidelity" mock-up to NASA officials at the company's engine production facility in Huntsville, Alabama. The vehicle is undoubtedly large and will take advantage of the 23-foot-wide (7-meter) payload volume on Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket.?This is the Mark 1 variant of the Blue Moon lander. It's designed to deliver up to 3 metric tons (about 6,600 pounds) of cargo anywhere on the lunar surface.

Peregrine arrived in Florida for December 2023 launch preparations

by Christophe Bosquillon

On October 31, 2023, Astrobotic announced the Peregrine lunar lander arrived safely in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The spacecraft was unloaded at Astrotech facilities where it will be integrated with the United Launch Alliance (ULA)’s Vulcan for launch on December 24, 2023.?“It’s incredible to realize that we are just a short time away from our Peregrine spacecraft beginning its journey to the Moon,” says John Thornton, Astrobotic CEO, “After years of dedication and hard work, we are so close to having our moonshot. We invite you to follow along as Peregrine, with seven countries represented aboard, launches to the Moon and attempts one of the first successful landings of an American spacecraft since Apollo.” Peregrine is carrying 21 payloads from governments, companies, universities, and NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program. Peregrine’s full manifest can be found at www.astrobotic.com/lunar-delivery/manifest/.

NASA's Innovative In-Flight Refueling Strategy to Transform Lunar Missions and Deep Space Exploration

by Christophe Bosquillon

?NASA's forthcoming lunar missions promise a revolutionary approach to space exploration, differing significantly from the last astronaut landing in 1972. These missions will feature in-flight refueling, a technological innovation aimed at reducing costs and enabling deeper space exploration. To this end, NASA has invested heavily, awarding a $3.4 billion contract to Jeff Bezos's Blue Origin and approximately $4 billion to Elon Musk's SpaceX. SpaceX plans to refuel its Starship in low Earth orbit, while Blue Origin is developing a reusable lunar lander, designed to orbit the moon, and a cislunar transporter for ferrying fuel from Earth to lunar orbit. This strategy aligns with NASA's goal to utilize lunar ice as a source of hydrogen and oxygen for rocket fuel, potentially powering repeated, cost-effective missions and establishing a more permanent human presence on and around the moon.

Firefly Announces Agreement with Fleet Space to Deliver Payload to the Moon

by Christophe Bosquillon

On November 8, 2023, Firefly Aerospace, Inc., an end-to-end space transportation company, announced a new agreement with Fleet Space Technologies, an Australian space exploration firm, to deliver and operate Fleet’s Seismic Payload for Interplanetary Discovery, Exploration, and Research (SPIDER) on the far side of the Moon. In addition to payloads from NASA and the European Space Agency, the Australian-backed SPIDER payload will fly on Firefly’s Blue Ghost lander as part of Firefly’s second lunar mission in 2026.?Firefly’s Blue Ghost lunar lander will deploy Fleet Space’s SPIDER payload to detect water ice deposits and examine the lunar subsurface.?

Starship's second test flight takes us one small step closer to a cislunar economy

by Christophe Bosquillon

Starship's second test flight got 148 km into space. Booster separation and hot staging did work. For the MVA Lunar Commerce and Economics Group, which develops the LCP Lunar Commerce Portfolio, understanding the Starship economic model matters a lot.?It involves first launching a propellant depot into orbit, that will fill the Starship lander, so that it can make the trip all the way to the Moon. Then, you need to load that propellant depot with methane and liquid oxygen. To do that, you need to launch Starship-shaped tankers. The mass of propellant needed for the Starship lander ends up requiring 7-8 launches for a one-way trip to the Moon, assuming the lander would stay there. Now if you want your Starship back, you also need a propellant depot at Gateway, which means installing it there, and filling it up. Considering the propellant volumes required for Starship, a return-trip might end up involving many more launches in total, over 25. Now, if you would have the possibility to install a depot on the Moon surface, filled with ISRU propellant extracted from regolith and ice water, that would change the economic equation completely.?But that remains a distant prospect for the next decade at the earliest.? NASA has hinted at these constraints, but the techno-economic parameters of cislunar logistics need to be carefully evaluated in each context, based on specific mission parameters. ?

Portuguese Space Agency and UN to Host Technical Symposium Ahead of Summit of the Future

The Portuguese Space Agency, in collaboration with the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA), has announced a Technical Symposium as a precursor to the highly anticipated Summit of the Future. This significant event will be conducted virtually from November 27-29, 2023.

The symposium aims to bring together experts, policymakers, and industry leaders to discuss and deliberate on key issues in outer space affairs. It will serve as a platform for addressing various challenges and opportunities in space exploration and utilization, setting the stage for the upcoming Summit of the Future.

The symposium is open to professionals, academics, and enthusiasts in the field of space exploration and policy. Interested individuals can register for the event through the provided link. The virtual format of the symposium ensures accessibility for participants from all over the world.

This symposium is a crucial step towards the Summit of the Future, expected to be a landmark event in the field of outer space affairs. The discussions and outcomes of the symposium are anticipated to shape the agenda and tone for the upcoming summit.

For more information about the symposium, including updates on the agenda and speakers, visit the Portuguese Space Agency's website or the dedicated event page.

United Nations to Host Major Conference on Space Law and Policy: The Outer Space Treaty for the 21st Century

The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UN OOSA) has announced an important conference on space law and policy, titled "The Outer Space Treaty for the 21st Century," scheduled to take place from November 28 to 30, 2023.

This conference aims to bring together global experts, policymakers, and practitioners in the field of space law to discuss the evolving challenges and opportunities in outer space governance. As humanity's activities in outer space continue to expand, this conference will play a critical role in shaping the future of international space law, particularly focusing on the relevance and application of the Outer Space Treaty in the 21st century.

The conference is expected to cover a wide range of topics, including but not limited to: The current state and future prospects of the Outer Space Treaty; Challenges in space governance due to emerging space activities; The role of international cooperation and diplomacy in space affairs; Legal and policy implications of new space technologies.

The event is open to government officials, legal experts, academics, and representatives from the private sector and civil society with an interest in space law and policy. For more details and registration information, interested individuals can visit the event page.

The conference is expected to yield significant discussions that will contribute to the ongoing development of international space law and policy, ensuring they remain relevant and effective in addressing the new frontiers of space exploration and utilization. For further information and updates on the conference, including a detailed agenda and list of speakers, please visit the UN OOSA website.

Update: "Safety Zones" on the Moon at the Intersection of Legal Tech, Deep Tech, and Lunar Governance

As part of its "Collected Works on Composable Governance", the MIT Computational Law Report has updated a published article by Christophe Bosquillon that looks at "Safety Zones" on the Moon at the intersection of legal tech, deep tech, and lunar governance. The article, whose editing cut-off date was early Spring 2023, widely references the works of our communities. This reference list has now been fully updated, with a "Useful Readings" section, to further reference the latest initiatives conducted in the past 6 months by GEGSLA, MVA, and our ecosystem partners. That includes articles written by some of you. The discussion revolves around how algorithmic policy and multi-stakeholder governance of safe and sustainable lunar activities could support each other under various levels of systems automation and autonomy. The scope doesn't include Generative AI though, which may be covered in future articles. Chris is a participant in GEGSLA since inception and currently a member of WG3 on lunar multistakeholder?coordination.

Global Experts Gather for the 4th GEGSLA Operational Meeting on December 13th, 2023

The Global Expert Group on Sustainable Lunar Activities (GEGSLA) is set to host its 4th operational meeting on December 13th, 2023, bringing together renowned academia experts and thought leaders in the field of preserving the lunar environment. The meeting is led by the co-chairs of WG1, Jean-Claude Worms (COSPAR, France) and Ian Crawford (Birkbeck University of London, UK) and will run from 15:00 to 17:00 CET. The discussion is expected to highlight significant advancements and strategies for defining "harmful contamination" as stated in the Outer Space Treaty (OST), assessing needs for broader definitions of detrimental interference, and identifying lunar areas needing protection to maintain their scientific, cultural, and aesthetic values. Registration to the event is still open and can be done here by?December 10th, 2023.

Space Habitat Event 2023: A Virtual Meeting of Global Space Exploration Experts

The Space Habitat Event 2023, orchestrated by Prof. Julio Rezende, recently concluded, marking a significant stride in space habitat research and exploration discussions. Held virtually from November 8th to 11th, the event featured a diverse range of presentations, including topics like space debris tracking, Mars logistics, and the medical challenges of Mars exploration, with notable contributions from experts like Aditya Prasad Ghosh, Jerry Stone, and Thais Russomano. Highlights included Prof. Rezendes talks on lava cave habitats and space psychology, alongside innovative sessions on musical performances in space and a panel discussing a proposed 18th Sustainable Development Goal focused on space infrastructure. The events success, facilitated by its virtual format on Zoom, not only enabled global participation but also set the stage for future collaborations in the field, with recordings available for those who missed the live sessions, underscoring the events commitment to advancing knowledge in space exploration and habitation.

The German Aerospace Center (DLR) is looking for a new team member for ISRU Technology Development

Paul Zabel leading projects on space resources utilization at the German Aerospace Center (DLR), is currently looking for a new team member on their ISRU project LUWEX. The job description is available here. The starting date is "immediately", and the duration of contract is initially limited to 1 year. The remuneration is up to German TV?D 13, and the type of employment is full-time, though part-time is possible.

NASA's LIFT-1 RFI: Lunar Infrastructure Foundational Technologies demonstration Request for Information?

On November 13th, NASA hosted a virtual industry forum, to introduce the agency’s Lunar Infrastructure Foundational Technologies (LIFT-1) demonstration Request for Information (RFI). At this event, representatives of NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) discussed the relevant Moon-to-Mars Objectives, STMD Envisioned Future Priorities (EFPs), and answered questions from potential respondents interested in the RFI. Details for participants to the LIFT-1 RFI are available on NSPIRES and open for responses through Dec. 18, 2023, at 5:00 p.m. EST here.

Charis Kosmas, Winner of the 2nd PromoMoon Initiative, to expand his Lunar Cargo operations

Charis Kosmas, Winner of the 2nd PromoMoon Initiative, ?expands his Lunar Cargo operations. With the innovative MACEDONAS lunar surface transportation solution, Charis will participate in the NASA LIFT-1 Request for Information, mentioned in this newsletter. Charis is scrambling to find some place in a qualification flight to a Lunar orbit or to the surface, to send material for implementing?MACEDONAS. Please contact Charis Kosmas or Christophe Bosquillon with any?practical information, help on that matter will be highly appreciated.

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.

The ?Moon Village Association Newsletter

We're excited to bring you the November edition of the?Moon Village Association Newsletter, your gateway to the latest developments in lunar exploration and governance. In a world where the Moon is no longer out of reach, the Moon Village Association stands at the forefront, spearheading the efforts to create a sustainable lunar presence. With updates on lunar missions, groundbreaking research, and the international collaboration driving humanity's next giant leap, our newsletter is your window into the Moon Village vision.?Join us?in this lunar journey, explore the possibilities, and be a part of the evolving lunar story.

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 [email protected].

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 launches the prestigious “MVA Moon Market Annual Award"

The MVA is delighted to introduce the prestigious “MVA Moon Market Annual Award” celebrating outstanding contributions to lunar commerce. This award highlights the progress in building a robust global space and lunar commercial ecosystem. It recognizes exceptional achievements within market segments, as outlined in the Lunar Commerce Portfolio by the MVA Lunar Commerce & Economics Working Group.?The inaugural award, starting in 2023, will be presented at the MVA Workshop in Japan, with a focus on the “Market 1: Transportation to/from the Moon” segment. We are proud to announce that the 2023 recipient is?ispace inc., a Japanese company that has excelled in lunar transportation. They achieved 8 of 10 lunar mission objectives in 2023 and demonstrated outstanding prowess in fundraising for lunar infrastructure development. For more information about the Moon Village Association and the “MVA Moon Market Annual Award,” please visit www.moonvillageassociation.org, and contact?Christophe Bosquillon, MVA Lunar Commerce & Economics Working Group Co-Chair.

Recording of GEGSLA Panel at ‘Commons in Space’ Conference Now Available Online

Attendees and enthusiasts of space exploration and sustainability can now access the recorded session of the Global Expert Group on Sustainable Lunar Activities (GEGSLA) panel from the recent 'Commons in Space' conference. The panel, titled "New Approaches to Sustainable Lunar Activity," was a highlight of the conference, offering fresh insights into the future of lunar activities, and was chaired by Dr. Alice Gorman, an internationally recognized leader in space archaeology and heritage. The panelists were Dr. Alice Gorman, Ian Christiansen, Xu Yu, and Irina Chernykh.

The panel explored innovative and sustainable practices for lunar exploration and utilization. Topics covered included the importance of preserving the lunar environment, the ethical considerations of lunar activities, and the role of international collaboration in space exploration. The recording of this informative panel is now available on the official conference website and can also be viewed on YouTube here.

The 'Commons in Space' conference, known for bringing together experts and stakeholders in space exploration, provided an ideal platform for the GEGSLA panel. The panel's discussion contributes significantly to the ongoing discourse on sustainable and responsible lunar activities, which is crucial as humanity prepares for more frequent and intensive lunar exploration.

For further information and updates on sustainable lunar activities, interested parties are encouraged to follow GEGSLA's initiatives and participate in their future events and discussions.

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.

GEGSLA is committed to advancing the cause of sustainable lunar exploration on a global scale. In line with MVA's mission, we promote peaceful, collaborative, and sustainable lunar activities while fostering international cooperation. We believe that the Moon holds immense potential for scientific, economic, and societal advancement and is vital to humanity's future.

In 2024, we have ambitious plans to further these goals:

1. Policy Advocacy within the UN Framework: We will continue our engagement with international space organizations and policymakers to advocate for policies promoting responsible lunar resource use. We'll share our Recommended Framework for Sustainable Lunar Activities, focusing on bodies like the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) and the Summit of the Future (SoF).

2. Raising Awareness via Outreach: GEGSLA will actively raise awareness about lunar sustainability through webinars, seminars, and conferences. We aim to present our findings during COPUOS sessions, ensuring our recommendations are considered at the highest levels of space governance.

3. Collaborative Projects: We seek partnerships with organizations sharing our vision to initiate projects in lunar exploration, research, and sustainability, turning our framework into actionable solutions.

4. Working Groups: Expert-led working groups will tackle lunar sustainability facets, developing guidelines and recommendations.

Your sponsorship of GEGSLA for our 2024 activities directly contributes to lunar exploration and sustainable Moon presence. It supports planning and execution of these activities, ensuring their success. In return, we offer tailored benefits, including prominent visibility, acknowledgments, and networking opportunities.

By joining us, you demonstrate commitment to responsible space exploration and play a pivotal role in shaping lunar activities' future. We are actively seeking sponsors to be confirmed by end of November 2023.

If you are interested in sponsoring GEGSLA's activities, you may contact us at [email protected] or donate directly to GEGSLA through the MVA website here.

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 [email protected].