Welcome to the GEGSLA Monthly Newsletter!

We are delighted to introduce the 21st 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.

Thailand, already an ILRS member, slated to join the Artemis Accords

In late October 2024, the Thai government Cabinet meeting approved the move for the country to sign the Artemis Accords. The Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA), under the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, was assigned to serve as the national focal agency. Thailand would be the first ILRS member country to join Artemis. This was reported regionally in Thailand and Hong Kong?media. However official statements by the State Department and NASA will have to wait until signature. More with?Jacqueline Feldscher.

NASA updates list of Artemis 3 landing sites

In late October 2024, NASA provided an update of its planned Artemis 3 landing sites near the South Pole of the Moon. This follows a previous list published in 2022. The site selection criteria are many, including solar light exposure and duration. The sites must also be considered not merely for regular landers, but in anticipation of using the Starship. More with Jeff Foust.

China-US space cooperation and the Moon: je t'aime, moi non plus

At the occasion of the Beyond Earth Symposium in mid-November 2024, Zhou Guolin, minister counselor for science and technology at the Chinese Embassy in Washington DC, said China was open to some level of cooperation with the US. Zhou Guolin said that?“China welcomes participation from space agencies all over the world, including the United States of America, of course... History has proved that isolation is not a solution, and that cooperation is the only solution to go forward.”?It remains to be seen how things will pan out with the incoming US administration for China on Earth, in space, and on the Moon. We will continue to closely monitor political developments, while our respective communities remain engaged in all matters of coordination and cooperation for the sake of peaceful, safe, and sustainable lunar activities.

The Moon takes center stage at the Nikkei Future of Space conference

At the occasion of the Tokyo Nihombashi Space Week, the Moon took center stage at the Nikkei Future of Space conference in presence and online on 21 November 2024. The session "Lunar Development and Lunar Business" featuring representatives from JAXA, Mitsubishi Research Institute, Inc. and ispace, was moderated by MVA Board member Satoru Kurosu.It covered lunar development around the world, and discussed the prospects for lunar development in Japan, which is being promoted by?both the public and private sectors. Other sessions included the Future of Space Development and Europe-Japan Cooperation with the JAXA and ESA agreement, the role expected of new companies entering the space industry, and promoting Non-Space Industry participation, an area where Japan leads strongly. The agenda is available here.

ESA and JAXA partner to further expand deep space cooperation, including the Moon

On 20 November 2024 at the Space Tech Expo in Bremen, ESA and JAXA issued the JAXA-ESA Joint Statement on Next Big Cooperations signed by Dr. Hiroshi Yamakawai, President of JAXA, and Dr. Josef Aschbacher, Director General of ESA. The expanded cooperation scope includes the Moon, together with?planetary defense, Earth observation, post-ISS low Earth orbit activities, space science and Mars exploration.?Koichi Suzuki, deputy director for safety and mission assurance at JAXA, further stated that the agency was building on recent exploration and LEO achievements including the SLIM moon landing, the Astroscale ADRAS-J mission supported by Commercial Removal of Debris Demonstration (CRD2), and EarthCARE. In the future, Japan will return to the moon with the LUPEX south pole lunar landing in partnership with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), work on a crewed pressurized rover for the Artemis program, and move to demonstrate the removal of large debris from orbit. There will also be a focus on capabilities such as additive manufacturing.?

The Starship Moon order book already includes two lunar rovers

While Lunar Outpost had already declared that SpaceX Starship is expected to deliver its first Lunar Terrain Vehicle, Eagle, to the Moon by 2029,? NASA made an additional announcement in November: Starship will deliver the pressurized rover built by Toyota and that JAXA is developing for the Artemis program no earlier than FY 2032. This JAXA Toyota rover is built to dispense astronauts from wearing spacesuits.?

Firefly to launch its Blue Ghost 1 lunar lander mission in January 2025

Firefly Aerospace plans to launch its?Blue Ghost 1 lunar lander mission to take place?in mid-January 2025.? This mission is part of?the NASA’s CLPS (Commercial Lunar Payload Services) initiative and the Artemis campaign for the benefit of humanity. This is the first Firefly Aerospace launch to the lunar surface. The Blue Ghost flight, carrying 10 NASA science and technology instruments, will launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 39A at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida “Blue Ghost aced environmental testing and proved the lander is performing 100% as expected,” Jason Kim, chief executive of Firefly, said in the statement announcing the launch date. “While we know there will be more challenges ahead, I’m confident this team has what it takes to softly touch down on the lunar surface and nail this mission.” More with Jeff Foust here.

Foust Forward: Is there a business case for the Moon?

In a piece for Space News, Jeff Foust quickly reviews the current state of Moon commercial affairs: while the private sector is increasingly?involved in lunar missions whose frequency keeps accelerating, the main demand driver remains government programs such as Artemis. With the current conventional wisdom, the tipping point from government programs to private sector commercial dominance in lunar activities isn't expected to happen before "a few decades" ... That may indeed be the case, but from our perspective here, it is simply self-evident that the exponential increase of lunar missions’ frequency and private sector involvement in lunar value chains, warrants an acceleration of responsible lunar policy development.

NASA weighting scenarios for VIPER and its impact on the CLPS lunar lander program

NASA had faced some congressional backlash after it announced in July 2024 its intent to cancel the Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover (VIPER) missions. Reasons given by NASA included costs and schedule overruns. In response to a letter from the leadership of the House Science Committee in early September 2024, NASA provided a month later a more precise estimates on the impact of VIPER on the CLPS lunar lander program. NASA would have to cancel up to four commercial lunar lander missions and delay up to four more to carry on with VIPER and fly the rover. While NASA outlined three scenarios leading to such outcomes, while also considering to flip over VIPER to the commercial. Details were obtained by SpaceNews through a Freedom of Information Act request and are available here.

Japan's ispace and Thailand partner for lunar exploration

Japan’s ispace, GISTDA, and mu Space have agreed to collaborate on lunar exploration mission for Thailand’s national space program.? This happens as Thailand, already a member of China-led ILRS, is now slated to join the Artemis Accords.?GISTDA is the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency, acting as the Kingdom of Thailand’s national space agency. The company mu Space is a well-known Thai satellite and communication services provider. The collaboration agreement aims to study the potential for a lunar exploration program within the framework of Thailand’s “National Space Experiment and Exploration” program. The way forward is to?advance Thailand’s space capabilities by combining Japanese space technology with Thailand’s growing space industry. This initiative marks a significant step in international public-private partnerships in the space sector between Thailand and Japan. The statements by the signatories of the agreement, Dr. Pakorn Apaphan, Director of GISTDA,?Atsushi Saiki, Executive Fellow, ispace, and?James Yenbamroong, CEO & Director of mu Space, can be found here.?

An opinion on Starship by?SpaceX President and COO?Gwynne Shotwell

Gwynne Shotwell is president and chief operating officer at SpaceX and the person actually running the business. As such, she is best positioned to provide a professional opinion on the market perspective for the company and its business lines. While Starlink currently underwrites most of the value of SpaceX, she expects?Starship will become the company dominant?value contributor over time. This claim is?based on the assumption that Starship's reusable payload capacity of 100+ metric tons to LEO will radically alter all patterns of space transportation and economics. While Shotwell didn't mention the Moon specifically, it is quite clear that setting up Staship-loaded propellant depots in orbit and cislunar space will be a game changer for Moon missions relying on this capability, regardless of the SpaceX lander itself. More with Jeff Foust here.

Eric Berger: uncertainties on the SLS rocket future vs private sector alternatives for the Moon

Eric Berger of Ars Technica expressed doubts on the future of the SLS rocket in a tweet in mid-November 2024: "To be clear we are far from anything being settled, but based on what I'm hearing it seems at least 50-50 that NASA's Space Launch System rocket will be canceled. Not Block 1B. Not Block 2. All of it. There are other ways to get Orion to the Moon." ?Futurism provides additional context as future orientations of the American space exploration policy remains to be seen, especially toward the Moon. We won't predict the unpredictable but may expect the unexpected.?

Intuitive Machines firms up its February 2025 launch schedule while calling for Artemis to refocus its roadmap

In an earnings call mid-November 2024,?Intuitive Machines CEO?Steve Altemus confirmed that February 2025 is the company's target for a second Moon landing. Steve Altemus also caledl for some course correction within the Artemis program, to refocus on infrastructure building while relying on the commercial sector to deliver on schedule and on budget. In Altemus words,?“for NASA to successfully executive its Artemis campaign in a globally competitive landscape, we see the possible need for a reformulation driven by budgetary and schedule realities; we believe that NASA must continue to partner with commercial industries to drive an affordable, incremental roadmap that enables steady, visible progress.”

NASA Gateway’s Power and Propulsion Element is now equipped with its xenon and liquid fuel tanks

A critical component of Gateway, NASA's lunar orbital station, is its Power and Propulsion Element, known as PPE. PPE has now been outfitted with its xenon and liquid fuel tanks. The operation took place in Palo Alto, California. Once fully assembled and launched to lunar orbit, the PPE’s roll-out solar arrays – together about the size of an American football field endzone – will harness the Sun’s rays to energize xenon gas and produce the thrust to get Gateway to the Moon’s orbit, where it will await the arrival of its first crew on the Artemis IV mission.

Successful fairing separation test for China's Long March 10 lunar crewed missions

Recently, the Long March 10 series of launch vehicles developed by the China Academy of Rockets successfully completed their fairing separation test. The test fully evaluated the fairing design, connection structure, separation plan, and maximum available envelope.?Fairing separation is a key action in the launch process of a carrier rocket. The success of the test marks another solid step forward in the prototype development of the Long March 10 series of carrier rockets for lunar crewed missions. More details with Andrew Jones.

Space News Webinar Replay: The Rise of Intuitive Machines

In a special Space News webinar late October 2024, Steve Altemus, Co-founder, President, and CEO of Intuitive Machines, shared his vision and insights on the future of space exploration and lunar technology. This is a massive reality check to understand not only the operational facts of on-going missions, but the concrete perspective for the first building blocks of a lunar economy. A must watch here.

CSIS: "Engaging China on Space with Eyes Wide Open"

As part of its series "Space in Focus," CSIS ran a piece on the necessity for the incoming administration to engage China. The US intention gravitates toward a constructive, two-way dialogue on the responsible, peaceful, and safe use of space while investing in the means to protect US interests and maintain its historic leadership in space.

NASA plans to assign missions to SpaceX and Blue Origin for two future Artemis cargo landers

NASA intends to award Blue Origin and SpaceX additional work under their existing contracts to develop landers that will deliver large pieces of equipment and infrastructure to the lunar surface. NASA expects to assign demonstration missions to current human landing system providers, SpaceX and Blue Origin, to mature designs of their large cargo landers following successful design certification reviews. The assignment of these missions builds on the 2023 request by NASA for the two companies to develop cargo versions of their crewed human landing systems, now in development for Artemis III, Artemis IV, and Artemis V.? NASA will issue a request for proposals to the two companies in early 2025 for those missions. NASA did not disclose the value of these contract extensions nor the reasons for the timing of these announcements. More with Jeff Foust here.

NASA: the next administration must “stick with the plan"

Speaking at a luncheon late October 2024 during the American Astronautical Society’s von Braun Space Exploration Symposium in Huntsville, Alabama, NASA Associate Administrator Jim Free said the agency needs to “stick with the plan” it has now through the Artemis lunar exploration campaign to return humans to the moon as a step towards later missions to Mars. The administrator warned that a change of destinations could result in a loss of U.S. leadership in space. More with Jeff Foust.?

Jatan Mehta: First look at the Artemis Moonwalking suit

In Moon Monday #198, Jatan’s Space provides a snapshot of the Artemis lunar space suit. Axiom Space has revealed the latest design of its AxEMU suit that astronauts will wear on NASA’s crewed Artemis III lunar surface mission later this decade.

Jacqueline Feldscher:?Space Policy in a Second Trump Term?

On 06 November 2024, to reflect the results of the US general election, Payload provided an update on the incoming second Trump administration expected space policy. This assessment is partly based on Greg Autry's views, such as “kicking Artemis into high gear” and ensuring Artemis III—the first crewed mission to the lunar surface since Apollo—remains on track and ahead of any other crewed missions. Payload also provided a useful snapshot of the states to watch, that are primarily concerned by space and lunar activities.?

NASA identified the root cause of Orion heat shield erosion but won't disclose them yet

NASA has identified the root cause of Orion heat shield erosion, but for now at kept the details under wrap. The heat shield erosion, with significant loss of material, was one of three factors that led NASA in January 2024 to announce it was delaying the Artemis 2 launch from late 2024 to no earlier than September 2025. At the time NASA said that one of the other reasons, replacing electronics in the life support system on Orion, was the key factor in selecting the new launch date. More details with Jeff Foust here.

China selects two teams to develop prototype lunar rovers

Teams from the China Academy of Space Technology (CAST) and the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology (SAST)?have been selected to develop prototype lunar rovers, the China Manned Space Engineering Office (CMSEO) announced in late October 2024. Both entities operate under the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), the country’s state-owned main space contractor, and will develop the rovers for?rovers for China's planned crewed moon mission before the end of the decade. More with Andrew Jones.

The FAA gets slammed again for regulatory delays

The FAA got slammed again. This time, Sen. Jerry Moran wrote to FAA Administrator Michael Whitaker, complaining that access to space is “being threatened by regulatory inefficiency.” The ultimate question is about a balancing act between some external concerns (environmental sustainability among these) and efficiency for the sake of the space economy and national security. But besides that, there is also an urgent need for administrations to scale up their working methods to cope with exponential growth and disruptive technologies. The eternal fight between the fast-and-furious doers and the sluggish paper pushers. More with Jacqueline Feldscher.

MVA Launches the Moon for Earth Initiative to Integrate Lunar Exploration and Climate Action

The Moon Village Association (MVA) has officially launched the Moon for Earth Initiative, a pioneering project aimed at addressing climate change through sustainable lunar exploration. This initiative calls for participation from space agencies, academia, private industry, and environmental organizations to collaboratively research and develop policy recommendations that align lunar activities with climate considerations. The project will unfold in three phases throughout 2025, culminating in policy proposals to relevant international bodies. For inquiries and participation, stakeholders are encouraged to contact [email protected].

These activities underscore GEGSLA’s and MVA’s dedication to fostering a responsible framework for lunar exploration, and their presence at IAC 2024 highlighted the growing global momentum toward cooperative, sustainable space activities.

8th Global Moon Village Workshop & Symposium: Luxembourg, December 2024

The 8th Global Moon Village Workshop & Symposium, hosted by the Luxembourg Space Agency and the Moon Village Association (MVA), will take place from December 2-3, 2024, at the European Convention Center in Luxembourg. This annual forum is a significant event for global leaders and experts in lunar exploration and utilization, offering a platform to discuss the latest developments and future plans related to humanity’s expansion to the Moon.

As the MVA’s premier event, the Workshop & Symposium will focus on the recent progress made in the Moon Village initiative, bringing together stakeholders from government space agencies, commercial entities, and academia. Participants will share insights, innovative ideas, and key information, fostering international collaboration to advance sustainable lunar activities.

This event follows the successful 7th Global Moon Village Workshop & Symposium held in Kurashiki & Tottori, Japan, and the 6th edition in Los Angeles, USA, continuing the tradition of gathering experts dedicated to humanity’s future on the Moon.

For more information about the upcoming event and previous workshops, visit the MVA website.

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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 [email protected].

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 Constantine Arhontas at [email protected].

During the current Operational Phase, GEGSLA's main sponsors for 2024 so far, are Luxembourg Space Agency, COSPAR – Committee on Space Research and 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.

Coming Up: 8th Global Moon Village Workshop & Symposium – Luxembourg, December 2024 (details above)

The 8th Global Moon Village Workshop & Symposium, hosted by the Luxembourg Space Agency and the Moon Village Association, will be held on December 2-3, 2024, at the European Convention Center in Luxembourg. This annual event brings together global experts, government agencies, commercial partners, and academic leaders to share insights and discuss collaborative plans for sustainable lunar exploration. Sponsorship opportunities offer a unique chance for organizations to gain visibility among key stakeholders driving humanity’s future on the Moon. To attend, visit the MVA website.

Coming in December 11th: 8th GEGSLA Operational Meeting

The Global Experts Group on Sustainable Lunar Activities (GEGSLA) will hold its 8th operational meeting on December 11th, 2024, online. This meeting will bring together leading experts and stakeholders to discuss the ongoing efforts and future strategies for sustainable lunar exploration and utilization.

The meeting highlights the importance of international cooperation and strategic planning in ensuring the sustainable exploration and utilization of lunar resources, setting the stage for significant advancements in the coming years. If you are interested joining the meeting, you may contact us at [email protected].

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]