Welcome to the GEGSLA Monthly Newsletter!

We are delighted to introduce the 20st 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.

GEGSLA Publicly Releases ILRS Cooperation Initiative Guidelines at its 7th Operational Meeting

At the 7th Operational Meeting held on October 18 in Milan, GEGSLA’s Secretary Executive, Dr. Giuseppe Reibaldi, substituted for Chairman Dr. Dorin-Dumitru Prunariu due to his unavailability, leading strategic discussions to outline the Group’s 2025 priorities, with a focus on strengthening international cooperation in lunar exploration. A central highlight was the public release of the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) Cooperation Initiative guidelines. GEGSLA noted that, while the initiative was first introduced in April 2023, the full text had not been widely circulated, leaving some stakeholders unaware of the guidelines supporting peaceful collaboration, resource preservation, and joint exploration. By officially releasing the ILRS guidelines, GEGSLA aims to bridge this gap and foster their integration into global lunar governance discussion.

The meeting also included updates from GEGSLA’s working groups, and GEGSLA participants actively engaged with the topics discussed. Key takeaways included expanding efforts on cislunar debris and widely promoting the ILRS guidelines.

GEGSLA is now preparing for its 8th Operational Meeting on December 11, 2024, to continue advancing international collaboration on lunar exploration.

Artemis Accords Expand to 47 Signatories with New Commitments from Cyprus, Chile, Estonia, and the Dominican Republic

The Artemis Accords recently celebrated four years of advancing responsible space exploration, with four new nations joining the framework in October 2024, bringing the total number of signatories to 47. These new additions strengthen the global coalition dedicated to peaceful, transparent, and sustainable space activities.

Cyprus officially became the 46th signatory on October 23, 2024, with Deputy Minister of Research, Innovation, and Digital Policy Nicodemos Damianou signing in Nicosia. U.S. State Department officials attended the ceremony, and NASA Associate Administrator Jim Free participated virtually, applauding Cyprus’s commitment to responsible space exploration and its alignment with the international space community. [NASA Release on Cyprus Signing ]

Chile will become the 47th signatory in a ceremony scheduled for October 25, 2024, at NASA Headquarters in Washington, D.C. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson will host Chile’s Minister of Science, Technology, Knowledge, and Innovation Aisén Etcheverry and Ambassador Juan Gabriel Valdés, among other officials. Chile’s commitment coincides with the fourth anniversary of the Artemis Accords, reinforcing a collective approach to responsible lunar and deep-space exploration. [NASA Release on Chile Signing ]

Estonia became the 45th signatory during a signing event in Milan, Italy, on October 13, 2024. Estonia's Minister of Economy and Industry Errki Keldo signed on behalf of the country, accompanied by representatives from the Estonian government and international partners. Estonia, known for its leadership in e-governance, aims to contribute its technological expertise to the global space community through its participation in the Accords. [NASA Release on Estonia Signing ] and [Space.com Report on Estonia Signing ]

Dominican Republic joined as the 44th signatory on October 4, 2024, with Ambassador Sonia Guzmán signing the accords in Washington, D.C. The Dominican Republic, now actively engaged in space-related initiatives, recently joined the Latin American and Caribbean Space Agency and is exploring potential commercial spaceport projects as part of its economic development plans. [NASA Release on Dominican Republic Signing | and [SpaceNews Report on Dominican Republic Signing ]

The expansion of the Artemis Accords exemplifies a unified global vision for space governance, with countries from diverse regions committing to shared norms of responsible exploration. To celebrate the four-year milestone, Payload released a timeline showcasing the accomplishments and growth of the Artemis community. [Payload Timeline of Artemis Accords ]

These new signatories underline a robust international commitment to cooperative space exploration, with growing collaboration anticipated as Artemis moves into its next phase.

Administrator Bill Nelson says that NASA and China need to talk about the Moon

Both NASA, with Artemis, and China, with its International Lunar Research Station (ILRS), are working to get astronauts to the moon and to build lunar infrastructure to support repeated and long-term missions. At the IAC 24, Bill Nelson said that NASA and China will need to discuss exchanges of data and mission plans as the two sides move to build sustainable presences on the Moon. This includes both China and NASA planning landings at the lunar south pole, aiming to harvest water ice. Bill Nelson confirmed that so far, no formal conversation took place between the US and China about the exploration of the lunar South Pole. But in future, exchanges relating to lunar missions might take place, in. vein similar to past conversations for the deconfliction of orbit around Mars. More details here .

The economic case for a Space Critical Infrastructure model – including cislunar space and the Moon

Nick Reese is the co-founder and COO of Frontier Foundry, a data and artificial intelligence company based in Washington. He was the director of emerging technology policy at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security from 2019 to 2023. In a piece for Space News , the author makes the economic case for a Space Critical Infrastructure model, that includes cislunar space and the Moon, thus allowing more deliberate critical infrastructure development policies with relevant investments moving forward.

Conference Nikkei Forum + FT - 21 November 2024, 1PM-6:35PM Tokyo -Time online and in-person: "The Future of Space 2024 - New business prospects and risk governance"

On 21 November 2024, 1PM-6:35PM Tokyo Time, Nikkei Forum and Financial Times present "The Future of Space 2024 - New business prospects and risk governance" online and in-person. Lunar Development and Lunar Business take the 1st panel, whereas "The role expected of new companies entering the space industry" and "Promoting Non-Space Industry Participation" take the third spot, with "Satellites Business" right in the middle. The Japanese consortium culture has always led in terms of motivating all industries and services, including financial, to involve themselves in the space domain as a market or an enabler of business development. The free registration link is here . This event is part of the Nihonbashi Space Week , also featuring SPACETIDE.

CSIS Aerospace Security Project report: “Salmon Swimming Upstream: Charting a Course in Cislunar Space.”

The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) Aerospace Security Project has just released and in-depth report: “Salmon Swimming Upstream: Charting a Course in Cislunar Space ”.

On Friday, October 25, starting at 10:00 AM EDT, CSIS will have been holding a conversation on this report and cislunar space with Clayton Swope, Deputy Director of the Aerospace Security Project and Senior Fellow with the International Security Program, and Victoria Samson, Chief Director of Space Security and Stability, Secure World Foundation. The live streamed discussion is moderated by Kari A. Bingen, Director of the Aerospace Security Project and Senior Fellow with the International Security Program, and available here .

In a piece for Breaking Defense , Theresa Hitchens provides a summary accurately reflecting the stance of the report. Which is that there is "no near-term value for military operations in cislunar space with the possible exception of space surveillance — and a considerable amount of “hype” about both technological readiness and the commercial business case." Further quoting the summary, “Though there is certainly a lot of buzz about cislunar growth, the authors of this report found evidence of only a modest increase in cislunar activities over the next decade compared to the past 10 years,” the study states. “The authors also could not identify any compelling strategic military value from cislunar space and did not foresee one developing in the next decade that could make a decisive difference in any conflict between the United States and China, Russia, or another nation-state. (...) However, national security organizations may want access to cislunar SSA [space situational awareness] data for surveillance purposes.”?The conclusions of the CSIS report will certainly fuel lunar policy discussions for years to come.

?Cislunar Industries reshape their business model

?Cislunar Industries got started on the idea of recycling metals from spacecraft and debris into materials usable for in-space manufacturing and assembly. But there is no market and no revenues there to expect before many years. However, the company identified another avenue for generating cash faster. For such recycling activities, the company had to develop their own advanced Power Processing Unit (PPU). And it turns out that these?PPU do have a market, aiming to supply US government orders for hundreds of electric thrusters for small spacecraft. And with few competitors, since PPUs are too cumbersome to produce,?CisLunar Industries has joined a new consortium—led by the Rochester Institute of Technology and the University of Michigan—that is receiving $45M in Space Force funding to develop new electric propulsion systems. The company also announced last month that it is providing PPUs for an OTV being built by Atomos Space, and is in talks with several propulsion firms as potential PPU buyers. The company might have a sufficient customer base to justify building a PPU manufacturing facility, hence generating cash flow until such time when the initially intended recycling market materializes. More with Tim Fernholz here .

Additional inputs on India's Chandrayaan-4 and 5 lunar missions as plans firm up

India’s Chandrayaan-4 lunar sample return mission slated for 2027-28 will target a landing between 85- and 90-degrees latitude in the southern hemisphere of the Moon. The Chandrayaan-4 mission will consist of two stacks launched on two separate rockets and will target the vicinity of the lunar south pole, according to P. Veeramuthuvel of the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). To collect around three kilograms of samples from near the south pole, ISRO will scoop from the surface and drill to a depth of around two meters to sample the subsurface.?Next, slated for 2028-29, the Chandrayaan-5 mission, a collaboration between ISRO and The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) known as LUPEX, will also target the lunar south pole, with coordinates of 89.45°S, 222.85°E. This is an elevated ridge near Shackleton crater, in the permanently shadowed regions. A rover will drive between 500 and 1,000 meters, taking in-situ measurements, including determining potential water-ice deposits. India will provide the lander, mission planning and payloads, while Japan will contribute the launch vehicle, various payloads and the rover. Payloads will include ground penetrating radar, a range of spectrometers and water analysis instruments contributed by both sides. More with Andrew Jones here .

NASA’s Bill Nelson congratulates SpaceX for catching the Starship booster in historic first

On Sunday 13 October 2024, Taking off from Boca Chica, Texas,?SpaceX on Sunday launched Starship rocket on its most daring test flight yet. And it worked at first try: the tower managed to catch the returning booster back at the pad with mechanical arms or pincers alternatively called "chopsticks" or "Mechazilla."?NASA Administrator Bill Nelson?promptly reacted in a tweet on X : "Congratulations to SpaceX on its successful booster catch and fifth Starship flight test today! As we prepare to go back to the Moon under Artemis, continued testing will prepare us for the bold missions that lie ahead -- including to the South Pole region of the Moon and then on to Mars." A bit more than an hour after launch, the main stage splashed down on target, though it exploded a few seconds after hitting the water. When both the booster and main stage will be able to land back properly and with minimum damage, the goal on reusability and launch cost decrease by 2 orders of magnitude will have been achieved, subject to mass production of the launchers and faster launch cadences. The FAA indicated that there would be no investigation on this launch as it complied with the current state of environmental regulations. More with Jeff Foust and Jacqueline Feldscher.

Three lunar 30-under-30 winners in the Payload Pioneers 2024 competition

Payload have unveiled their 2024 group of Payload Pioneers, and they include 3 winners in the lunar business. The caliber of this year’s group of 30-under-30 in the space industry is impressive: the average score of a winner this year was 3+ points higher than those who made the Payload 2023 list. The 2024 Pioneers are working in every corner of the space industry from founding companies to building hardware to clean up orbit to writing policy to developing programs to reach the Moon. Many are also working with programs outside their day jobs to boost diversity in the sector, and inspire the next generation of the industry. While Payload provided all the details , let's celebrate the 3 lunar winners, whom we congratulate, as follows:

Jeremiah Pate, Lunasonde - The AZ-based startup uses a blend of SAR, robotic systems, and proprietary software to hunt for resources beneath the surface of both Earth and other bodies in space, such as asteroids.

Konark Chopra, Astrobotic - grew up traveling to food festivals with his restaurateur parents, began to dream of a space economy that could one day host a restaurant on the lunar surface.

Sariah Fischer, Interlune - is ready for the next era in space exploration. So, she’s helping to build it herself.?

?Venturi and Astrolab unveil a Moon Rover prototype at IAC 24

Venturi Space and Venturi Astrolab, Inc. (Astrolab) have teamed up to produce a lunar rover designed to respond to the growing number of institutional, businesses and scientific organisations in the US and European markets that are seeking access to the Moon for smaller payloads. Known currently by its internal name FLIP (FLEX Lunar Innovation Platform), the rover uses the same technology used by Astrolab’s FLEX rover, which was introduced in 2022. Just as with FLEX, Astrolab is responsible for the overall design and manufacturing of the rover. Astrolab will use an upcoming CLPS mission to get their rover to the Moon. More details here and with Jeff Foust .

ArkEdge Space of Japan expands its PNT and comms development services from cislunar space to Earth

Startup ArkEdge Space of Japan is already well known for its contract with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency?JAXA to develop positioning and communications services for cislunar space. And now, it has won another contract with JAXA to study the feasibility of establishing a constellation of position, navigation and timing satellites in Low Earth Orbit. The new contract, announced at IAC 24 in Milan, is a great example of Moon for Earth positive impact, whereas technologies initially developed for cislunar space and the Moon can be applied to Earth. More details with Debra Werner .

Artemis Accords signatories look to recruit new members

CSA President Lisa Campbell, ASI President Teodoro Valente and NASA Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy discuss progress on the Artemis Accords at the IAC Oct. 14.?Credit:?SpaceNews/J. Foust

Around the same time as Estonia being welcome as 45th Artemis signatory, the IAC 24 in Milan also hosted a meeting of Artemis Accords signatories to discuss implementation of the Accords . Those discussions, space agency officials said, included work on capacity building, technical issues regarding lunar operations and sharing of scientific data. Besides working on those technical and policy issues, countries say they are looking to overcome obstacles that have kept more countries from signing the Accords, which include a lack of awareness of the Accords and their benefits. “Some of these countries haven’t yet signed the Artemis Accords because they do not fully understand the reasons to be inside it,” said Teodoro Valente, president of the Italian space agency ASI. “This is one of our duties, one of our tasks, to let them know what does it mean, what are the advantages.” The need to attract new members, especially from the African continent, was also recently discussed with NASA.

Axiom and Prada unveiled the design of their Artemis spacesuit

At a briefing at the IAC 24, Axiom and Prada revealed details about the Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit (AxEMU) suit that Axiom is creating for use by NASA on lunar landing missions starting with Artemis 3. The design has further evolved since it started about 2 years ago. Axiom emphasized the advanced capabilities in the suit, particularly an improvement in mobility when compared to the suits worn by the Apollo astronauts on moonwalks more than a half-century ago. There are also greater redundancy in the suit as well as healthy monitoring systems not available in the Apollo-era suits. More details with Jeff Foust .

China unveiled in mid-October 2024 its first-ever national-level development program for medium- to long-term space science

China unveiled in mid-October 2024 its first-ever national-level development program for medium- to long-term space science, which will guide the country's planning of space science missions and space research from 2024 to 2050, including conducting manned lunar exploration by 2027. The plan also establishes the clear goal of building China into a world space science power by 2050. The program, jointly released by the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), the China National Space Administration (CNSA) and the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA), aims to "achieve high-quality development in space science, drive breakthroughs in space technology innovation, upgrade space applications, rank among the world's leading space nations, and establish China as a global leader in space science," the CAS said in a statement it provided to the Global Times on Tuesday.?The CAS also highlighted in the statement that the implementation of the program is expected to accelerate revolutionary breakthroughs in basic scientific research in China's space science field, enable the country to attain major world-class scientific achievements early, drive next-generation advancements in space technology, and promote high-quality development of space applications.?The program will also provide strong support for building a community with a shared future for humanity in outer space and help establish China as a global powerhouse in space exploration and science and technology, reads the CAS statement. The program outlines the country's space science development in three stages, detailed here .

EU Space Law: uncertainties on its scope and timing ultimately impact the EU Moon affairs

Announced in 2023 by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, the EU Space Law was previously expected in early 2024. Currently, it might at best be published in 2025. As for its scope, Maria Elena De Maestri, University of Genova international law professor, said at the IAC that the EU Space Law proposal could include regulations or directives, or it could be “just a set of policy principles that would apply to space activities in the EU internal market.” According to Claudiu Mihai Taiatu, International Space University Space Studies Program academic coordinator, the EU Space Law is expected to introduce common standards and harmonize licensing requirements. Taiatu adds that space situational awareness data sharing and cybersecurity are other important topics that could be addressed by a EU Space Law. Frans Von der Dunk, University of Nebraska space law professor, and a member of the International Law Association’s Committee on Space Law representing the Netherlands, expects the process to be a "long and winding road" and goes to further elaborate. It is noteworthy that 10 out 27 EU?member states already have a national space law addressing?authorization and supervision of private-sector commercial operations under Article VI of the 1967 Outer Space Treaty. The European Commission (EC) has limited?authority to promote scientific progress and the industrial competitiveness of member states under the 2007 Lisbon Treaty. The EC still has to make the political case of?why space law should be treated at the EU level, as opposed to the national level only, part of the endless friction between European governance and narrowly considered national interests. For starters, the case could be made on issues of?safety and sustainability to try and federate space-faring European nation states. But there is also a legal vacuum considering that none?of the current 10 national laws specifically addresses human spaceflight, and therefore Moon missions: could that present an opportunity for the EC to establish a new space law that adresses that shortcoming? What would that mean in the context of a number of EU member states being signatories of the Artemis Accords, and ESA being a partner in Getaway? More with Debra Werner here .

Global Recognition: ISRO Chief S Somanath Wins IAF World Space Award For Chandrayaan-3

In a momentous recognition of India’s achievements in space exploration at the IAC 24 in Milan, Dr. S. Somanath, Secretary of the Department of Space and Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), has been awarded the prestigious International Astronautical Federation (IAF) World Space Award for the remarkable success of the Chandrayaan-3 mission. The moment is captured in this video . The award ceremony, held in Milan, Italy, celebrates India’s significant contributions to lunar exploration and its growing prominence in the global space community. Chandrayaan-3's historic landing near the Moon’s South Pole on August 23, 2023, marked India as the first nation to achieve this feat, placing it in an elite group of countries capable of lunar landings. S. Somanath also noted in a plenary session that the Indian government recently approved development of the Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV) that will provide increased payload performance over existing rockets and with a reusable booster. He estimated NGLV will take six years to develop. Just like the US leading and China accelerating their respective reusable launchers capabilities, it has also now become clear to India that pioneering reusability is essential for future launch vehicles and market competitiveness.

Astroport and Orbit Fab join forces for lunar exploration breakthrough

At the IAC 24 in Milan, Astroport Space Technologies, Inc., a leading provider of advanced space exploration solutions, and Orbit Fab, Inc., a pioneer in in-space refueling and resource utilization, announced a strategic partnership to accelerate the development of lunar infrastructure and enable sustainable long-term space exploration. Drawing on their complementary expertise, Astroport and Orbit Fab will collaborate, including in the Artemis context, on a range of initiatives, such as joint development of lunar surface infrastructure, advancement of in-space refueling capabilities, technology demonstration missions, and knowledge exchange and collaboration. “This strategic alliance marks a significant step forward in our mission to establish a sustainable human presence on the Moon,” said Sam Ximenes, founder and CEO of Astroport. “By developing our technologies in essential lunar resource extraction with a supporting infrastructure enabling a supply chain capability for Orbit Fab’s innovative approach to orbital in-space refueling, we can create the foundation for a thriving lunar economy.” Daniel Faber, CEO of Orbit Fab, added, “We are excited to partner with Astroport to explore the vast potential of lunar resources and to develop the infrastructure needed to support and fuel future space exploration activities. Together, we can unlock the opportunities that the Moon offers for scientific discovery, economic development, and human advancement.” More in the Astroport Space Technologies press release .

A short update on Chinese reusable launchers from orbit to the Moon

In the past decade, Chinese private sector reusable launchers have developed at an accelerated pace, regardless of what current and future reusable versions of the Long March rockets series might achieve. There are over a dozen companies making significant foray, of which at least half seem particularly promising. While their immediate market is orbital satellites constellations, some of them may eventually get involved in orbital and cislunar space propellant depots, potentially impacting China's involvement in the Earth-Moon economy. Here is a short update by Dongfang hour to keep up with China's 8 most promising reusable rocket companies.

?UNGA79 endorses the COPUOS Report and formation of?the "Action Team on Lunar Activities Consultation”

At its sessions that took place during the previous month of September 2024, UNGA79, among other decisions, endorsed the UN COPUOS Report, including the building blocks for the formation of the "Action Team on Lunar Activities Consultation” (ATLAC). The details on ATLAC are provided in Annex IV titled “Mandate, terms of reference and methods of work of the Action Team on Lunar Activities Consultation” on pages 59 and 60 of the relevant UNOOSA / UNGA79 document. Currently, certain ATLAC management and operational details remain to be determined, but, so far, so good.

Trevor Williams: sixty-five years since the first lunar farside images by Luna 3 courtesy of the USSR

Trevor Williams in an orbital dynamicist who grew up avidly following the Apollo missions and has long been fascinated by space history. One of his earliest memories is being shown a large Luna 3 photo of the lunar farside on the front page of that day’s newspaper. In a detailed account for Jeff Foust's Space Review , the author reminisces on October 4, 1959, the second anniversary of the launch of Sputnik: on that day, the Soviet Union launched Luna 3 on a mission to image the far side of the Moon, an ambitious goal back in the days. The Luna 3 images covered 70% of the far side and were of somewhat indifferent quality, but allowed the production of the first partial lunar farside atlas. Luna 3 also had implications in the field of orbital?mechanics, with the notorious Soviet-Japanese cooperation of Lidov and Kozai. Lidov’s analysis of the motion of Luna 3 in its high Earth orbit while the gravitational attraction of the Moon acted on it, complemented very well the asteroid work of Kozai, ultimately leading to the technique that is now known as the Lidov-Kozai mechanism. This approach has two significant application areas today: the study of an exoplanet orbiting a star that possesses another massive planet, and the long-term behavior of spacecraft in cislunar space. Both areas are currently of growing interest, so the influence of Luna 3 still lives on. It is also a reminder that even during the Cold War, visionary people on both sides of the Iron Curtain were able to cooperate for the benefit of humanity.

Jatan Mehta: clarification on the JAXA-ISRO LUPEX mission status

In its Moon Monday issue #196 , Jatan's Space provides a useful clarification on the JAXA-ISRO LUPEX mission status.?The Japanese government has already approved the mission. The Indian National Space Commission approved LUPEX as of August 2024, which means advanced developmental work on the ISRO-provided lander for the mission can now take place as feasible. However, this does not mean LUPEX is fully approved for launch. Since it’s an international collaboration mission, the Indian Government Union Cabinet green-lighting the project is still necessary. While that process is on-going for LUPEX, it is a political reality that the purely national Chandrayaan 4 sample return mission took precedence and got authorized first. Next, there is the question of budget for LUPEX. So that isn't a done deal yet. Interested readers will get more updates by following Jatan's Space, the content of which is now also available on some non-questionable social networks that also federate (interoperate): Flipboard, Mastodon and Bluesky.?

University researchers flag cislunar space debris concerns

Academic researchers from Purdue University are ringing alarm bells about cislunar and lunar orbital debris. According to a paper published in Advances in Space Research, the journal of the Committee on Space Research, the increased amount of space hardware flying through cislunar space and around the Moon is worrying. This will only get worse as cislunar activities are on the rise, and there are still no readily available tools to monitor threatening cislunar clutter. Even one fragmentation event can have calamitous and far-reaching consequences for future lunar exploration, which drives the need for appropriate debris characterization tools. More with Leonard David in Space News .

China unveils lunar spacesuit for crewed Moon mission

China’s human spaceflight agency has revealed the exterior design of the spacesuit for the country’s future crewed lunar landing missions. For a quick overview, please watch this China Central Television (CCTV) Video News Agency short clip?"China Unveils Moon-Landing Spacesuit for First Time ."? The "China Manned Space Agency" (CMSA) unveiled the extravehicular lunar suit Sept. 28, 2024 in Chongqing, also soliciting suggestions for a name for the suit. In the above clip, Wang Chunhui, deputy chief designer of the astronauts training systems at the China Astronaut Research and Training Center,?stated that the suit was designed to handle various harsh conditions. Complex environmental factors include vacuum and low gravity, lunar dust and regolith, complex surface topography, and extreme high and low temperatures. It also needs to protect astronauts from a high radiation environment.?“Considering that they are working under one-sixth gravity; in order to reduce the metabolic load of the human body, it is a must to greatly reduce the suit’s weight. As astronauts will walk on the lunar surface and carry out scientific research activities, the spacesuits must have better ergonomic support capabilities, and be smaller and more integrated,”?Wang said. China’s goal remains to land astronauts on the Moon before 2030. China is also currently working on a new human-rated launcher, the Long March 10, a deep space crew spacecraft and a crew lander for the mission. A crew rover is also being designed. More with Andrew Jones in Space News .

ISU President John Wensveen Unveils Strategic Plan “MOON SHOT 2030”

John Wensveen, Ph.D., newly appointed President of the International Space University (ISU), is spearheading the development of a transformative strategic plan known as?MOON SHOT 2030 . Building on ISU’s 37 years of success, this forward-thinking initiative centers on innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship, ensuring that ISU remains at the forefront of the rapidly evolving global space economy.?“In an age of acceleration and mega disruption, the future is already here. To maintain ISU’s leadership in the space sector, we must ask ourselves: what are we doing to adapt and thrive in this new era?”?said Dr. Wensveen.?The MOON SHOT 2030 plan will incorporate a global fundraising strategy, an expanded branding, marketing, communications, and public relations campaign, and a targeted global outreach initiative engaging ISU alumni, faculty, and partners from both the public and private sectors.?In support of this vision, Dr. Wensveen has strengthened ISU’s leadership by appointing Dane Coult as Chief of Staff, Joel Herrmann as Chief Operating Officer, and Dr. Virginia Wotring as Chief Academic Officer. Dr. Wotring will oversee all ISU programs, research, and grant initiatives, while providing leadership in academic development, faculty management, and external collaborations. Details in the press release .

Orbital and cislunar transportation company Argo raises $7.9M to build Moon-water-fueled space tugs?

There’s water just waiting in those hills. Image: NASA

This newsletter already reported on Argo Space Corporation in April 2024, when the company announced a $2 million pre-seed round together with $2M in SBIR funding. Argo aimed at building the first Argonaut demonstration vehicle, expected to launch in 2025.?This time around,?Argo raised $7.9M from investors to build space tugs that will ultimately use lunar ISRU-sourced water as propellant, as per the vision of its CEO Robert Carlisle . This latest round of financing is led by Crosslink Capital and includes Stellar Ventures and Type One Ventures. This brings Argo’s total fundaise to nearly $12M, also including U.S. Government contracts from NASA and the USSF. For the time being, the company generates cash flow with a delivery service of?small satellites to bespoke orbits after launching to LEO.?Argo is developing a larger reusable and refuelable vehicle capable of carrying ESPA-class payloads up to 1000 kg, and its own high impulse plasma thruster. ESPA stands for "EELV Secondary Payload Adapter" which is an adapter for launching secondary payloads on orbital launch vehicles. EELV refers to the?Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle US program.?CEO Carlisle and investors believe in-space refueling, combined with harvesting water propellant from the Moon, will enable Argonauts to secure customers looking for low-cost access to out-of-the-beaten-path orbits. More with Tim Fernholz in Payload .

GEGSLA's Active Role in IAC 2024: Promoting Sustainable Lunar Activities

The International Astronautical Congress (IAC) 2024 in Milan set new records, drawing over 11,200 delegates from 120 countries, with more than 3,000 participating online. The event included more than 530 exhibitors, featuring displays of lunar samples from China’s Chang’e 6 mission and asteroid samples from NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission, underscoring humanity's growing commitment to space exploration. The Moon took center stage in numerous sessions, from plenary discussions involving UNOOSA and space agencies to panels with commercial and NGO representatives, all addressing the essential aspects of lunar exploration, sustainability, and international cooperation. [IAC Sessions on YouTube ]

The Moon Village Association (MVA) and the Global Expert Group on Sustainable Lunar Activities (GEGSLA) made a significant impact with several presentations and meetings highlighting key initiatives aimed at ensuring sustainable lunar exploration.

MVA Highlights: Adaptive Governance and Benefit Sharing Project (BSP)

As part of MVA’s contributions, the Adaptive Governance Working Group presented several projects, including the BSP. Led by Dr. Giuseppe Reibaldi and Prof. Mark Sundahl, with co-chairs Suyan Malhadas and Christophe Bosquillon, the BSP was presented by Juan Nolasco. This initiative, aimed at equitable benefit-sharing from lunar resources, is now entering its final phase and is expected to conclude in 2025.

GEGSLA’s Active Engagement at IAC 2024: Strategic Planning and New Leadership in WG3

GEGSLA played a pivotal role convening its 7th Operational Meeting on October 18, 2024, in a hybrid format. The meeting covered comprehensive reports from its three working groups, focusing on current challenges, opportunities, and strategic planning for 2025. A key point of discussion was the exploration of potential collaboration between ILRS and Artemis, to help solidify a sustainable global lunar governance.

Prof. Mark Sundahl, the co-chair of GEGSLA WG3, warmly welcomed Dr. Wang Zhongmin, Director of International Outreach for China’s Deep Space Exploration Laboratory (DSEL), as the new co-chair of the group. Dr. Wang participated actively in the GEGSLA Operational Meeting on October 18 and shared with the audience the ILRS Cooperation Initiative Guidelines, marking a milestone in transparent communication.

Key Presentations at IAC 2024: GEGSLA’s Impact on Sustainable Lunar Activities

In addition to operational meetings, GEGSLA presented two significant papers at IAC 2024 within session D4.2, “Contribution of Moon Village to Solving Global Societal Issues.” These presentations provided insights into GEGSLA’s operational phase results and explored the role of lunar exploration in supporting Earth’s environmental objectives. By showcasing its ongoing contributions to lunar governance and environmental stewardship, GEGSLA reinforced the importance of international collaboration to ensure that lunar activities are sustainable and beneficial for all humankind.

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.

Don Barker: Lunar and off Earth resource drivers, estimations and the development conundrum Donald C. Barker, who has been in the space and lunar game for 30 years, participated online at the GEGSLA Operational Meeting on 18 October 2024 during the IAC 24 in Milan. Don posted his 2020 paper in the Zoom chat: "Lunar and off Earth resource drivers, estimations and the development conundrum ." For Don, a settlement only paradigm, not science, will drive human populations off Earth. Long-term growing populations off Earth requires access to natural resources. First landing site selection requires holistic knowledge regarding resource availability. A Planetary Resource Management System model guides and enables mission design. And human resource development doesn’t have the luxury of drilling dry-holes in space. For Don, the timelines mean that it will take at least another decade to merely initiate well-structured resources exploration, starting with propellant needs. The clock is ticking.?

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 . Also please consider sponsoring the event.

?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 register, attend, and sponsor, 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]

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