Welcome to the GEGSLA Monthly Newsletter!

We are delighted to introduce the 11th 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.

Japan becomes the 5th country to soft-land on the Moon

In the night of 19/20 January 2024, Japan became the 5th country to soft-land on the Moon with its JAXA SLIM mission. A JAXA SLIM Moon Landing Live & Press Conference is available here . “The Japan Aerospace Exploration?Agency (JAXA) confirms that the Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM) successfully landed on the moon surface on January 20, 2024, at?0:20 am (JST). Communication with spacecraft has been established after the landing. However, the solar cells are currently not?generating power, and priority is given to data acquisition from the?SLIM on the moon. Detailed analysis of the acquired data will be?conducted in the future, and we will continue to share any updates on?the situation.” As we wait for the month-long investigation to sort out the facts on the ground, a relevant analysis by Scott Manley formulate some hypothesis on SLIM's status : With this?robotic lunar soft landing, Japan joins an exclusive club made of the United States, the former Soviet Union, China and India .

Detailed analysis confirmed SLIM's landing was approximately 55 meters east of the target site, with a pinpoint landing performance evaluated to be within 10 meters, possibly even as close as 3-4 meters. This achievement underscores the mission's primary goal of demonstrating technology for pinpoint lunar landings. Despite the unexpected shutdown, all essential technical and navigation data, necessary for future lunar missions, were obtained. In a remarkable turn of events, the Lunar Excursion Vehicle 2 (LEV-2 / SORA-Q), part of the SLIM mission, accomplished another first by capturing an image of the SLIM spacecraft on the Moon. LEV-2 is celebrated as the world’s first robot to conduct fully autonomous exploration on the lunar surface. This highlights the advanced capabilities and potential of robotic explorers in space missions.

JAXA remains optimistic about the potential recovery of the SLIM spacecraft, as analysis indicates the possibility of future power generation from its solar cells. Preparations for the recovery and further data acquisition are underway, with JAXA committed to sharing updates as the investigation progresses. This mission, despite its challenges, represents a significant step in Japan's lunar exploration endeavors and contributes valuable knowledge to the global space community.

Belgium joins the Artemis Accords

On 23 January 2024, Belgium , represented by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hadja Lahbib, and the Secretary of State for Science Policy, Thomas Dermine, signed the Artemis Accords. As a State participating in and contributing to European and international space exploration programmes, in particular the Artemis programme, Belgium considers the Artemis Agreements to be an important political instrument, guiding the activities of the signatory States and their non-governmental actors in the exploration of outer space, and in full compliance with existing international law, in particular the provisions of the 1967 United Nations Outer Space Treaty.

Blue Origin and SpaceX start work on cargo versions of crewed lunar landers

NASA has exercised options in Human Landing System (HLS) awards made to Blue Origin and SpaceX to begin initial design and development work of versions of their landers that can carry large amounts of cargo to the lunar surface. These contractors were recently referred to by NASA at the time of announcing mid-January 2024 some further delays on the Artemis programme. As reported by Space News,?"“NASA expects these large cargo landers to have high commonality with the human landing systems already in work with adjustments to the payload interfaces and deployment mechanisms,” NASA stated. “The preliminary design requirements include delivering 12 to 15 metric tons to the lunar surface.”

Astrobotic Peregrine Mission 1 ends with Earth atmospheric re-entry burn up

A post-reentry briefing on the Astrobotic Peregrine Mission One took place on 19 January 2024. An audio recording is available on the NASA TV channel . Astrobotic, an American company headquartered in Pittsburg, Ohio, has earned global acclaim for its prompt, comprehensive, and transparent updates, which can be found on their website and X (Twitter) wall . ?The Astrobotic Peregrine Mission 1 ended with an Earth atmospheric re-entry burn up. A report by Christophe Bosquillon can be found here . While the mission didn’t fulfill its goal of soft-landing on the Moon, it performed several milestones and NASA’s active scientific payload successfully harvested a trove of cislunar environment data.

New and interesting Cislunar space policy paper by Charles S. Galbreath, Mitchell Institute

The Mitchell Institute Spacepower Advantage Center of Excellence published a paper by Charles S. Galbreath , Senior Fellow for Space Studies. The paper, "Securing Cislunar Space and the First Island Off the Coast of Earth" looks at space powers policy issues in the cislunar domain. The paper specifically calls for the US Department of Defense to step cooperation with NASA through more infrastructure investments to support scientific and economic activities in cislunar and lunar space. A link is available here that includes a long form paper and a slide deck. A summary report is available here .

US House Committee back Artemis despite further delays

Members of the U.S. House of Representatives Commitee on Science,?Space and Technology Space and Aeronautics expressed disappointment over the latest delay in NASA’s Artemis program, but continue to support it without trying to change it.?Former NASA administrator Mike Griffin?provided?a Witness Statement for the Hearing , titled "Returning to the Moon: Keeping?Artemis on Track". Mike Griffin remains skeptical on the Artemis 3 launch being scheduled for September 2026. His?testimony can be found here . An analysis by Christophe Bosquillon on how Artemis delays impact ESA and foreign partners is available here .

Web3 platform Copernic Space selling tokenized digital assets for 2024 lunar flight

Copernic Space is a Web3 Platform for Space Assets and Investments. The Copernic Space App aims to create "The Marketplace for tokenized Space Assets & Ventures". The?Los Angeles startup?has been selling digital assets for 2024 lunar flight as a way to reach that aim. Copernic Space lunar payload will be housed in a capsule from San Francisco startup LifeShip. The LifeShip capsule is scheduled to launch in 2024 on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and to land in the northern lunar hemisphere’s Mare Crisium onboard a Firefly Aerospace’s Blue Ghost 1 lunar lander. Digital assets being sent in the Copernic Space lunar payload include music, code, fine art collections, company registrations and videos .

NASA, United Arab Emirates Announce Artemis Lunar Gateway Airlock and UAE astronaut

NASA and the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) announced plans for the space centre?to provide Gateway’s Crew and Science Airlock module , as well as a UAE astronaut to fly to the lunar space station on a future Artemis mission.

NASA reschedules Artemis 2 and 3, Artemis 4 remains on track

NASA announced it will now target September 2025 for Artemis II, the first crewed Artemis mission around the Moon, and September 2026 for Artemis III, which is planned to land the first astronauts near the lunar South Pole. Artemis IV, the first mission to the Gateway lunar space station, remains on track for 2028. The primary reason provided by NASA for these delays is safety of the missions and crews, followed by operational constraints linked to private sector contractors.?

Components of the Chang’e-6 lunar probe have arrived at the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in Hainan

Components of the Chang’e-6 lunar probe have arrived at the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site on the island of Hainan, China. The launch is to take place in the first-half 2024. That will be the first-ever lunar far side sample mission. Sources are here , here and here .

GEGSLA 5th Operational Meeting

The 5th Operational Meeting of the Global Expert Group on Sustainable Lunar Activities (GEGSLA), held on January 17, 2024, marked a significant stride in advancing sustainable lunar activities.

The meeting's focus was on the work of the Working Group 3 (WG3) - Lunar Multi-stakeholder Coordination, led by Co-chairs Mark Sundahl and Yu Xu. A presentation and discussion on an International Coordination for Luna Operations (ICLO) mechanism proposal were central, with real-time updates made to the document. The meeting also touched upon upcoming global events and the necessity of strong sponsorship, particularly in the context of the UN STSC, IMD24, the UN Summit of the Future, and IAC 2024. The session concluded with a forward-looking note, setting the next Operational Meeting for May 29, 2024, and encouraging engagement in future STSC sessions.

This meeting signified a pivotal moment for GEGSLA, addressing crucial aspects of lunar sustainability and reinforcing the need for collaborative efforts and global policy alignment to ensure responsible lunar exploration and activities.

IAA Symposium on Moon Farside Protection

The International Academy of Astronautics (IAA) is gearing up for an unprecedented event in the world of space exploration - the first-ever Symposium on Moon Farside Protection, scheduled for March 21-22, 2024, in Turin, Italy. Conceived by Prof. Claudio Maccone, IAA's Technical Director for Scientific Space Exploration, this symposium aims to spotlight the critical importance of preserving the Moon's Farside for scientific research. The event will bring together experts from across the globe to discuss the protection of this unique celestial region, known for its natural radio silence and immense potential for groundbreaking discoveries in fields like cosmology, astrobiology, and the search for extraterrestrial intelligence.

With the increasing number of lunar missions, the Moon Farside's Shielded Zone on the Moon (SZM) faces the threat of radio frequency pollution, which could compromise its scientific value. The symposium's agenda will focus on strategies to safeguard this pristine environment from such risks. Leading international organizations, space agencies, and private sector entities will present their views and research findings, fostering a robust dialogue on the future of lunar exploration and the urgent need for protective measures. The event, set in the historically and scientifically rich city of Turin, represents a crucial step in shaping a sustainable future for space exploration where scientific discovery and lunar activities coexist harmoniously. More information can be found here .

GEGSLA's Key Framework Document Now Available in Arabic

In a significant step towards broadening global accessibility and understanding, the "Recommended Framework and Key Elements for Peaceful and Sustainable Lunar Activities" document has been translated into Arabic. This commendable effort was undertaken by Nasr A. Al-Sahhaf, PhD, Chair of the International Moon Day Group (IMD-G), based in Vienna, Austria. This translation is a testament to GEGSLA's commitment to inclusive and diverse participation in lunar activities. The Arabic version of the document, which aims to guide the international community in responsible lunar exploration and use, is now available for download here , facilitating wider engagement and understanding among Arabic-speaking stakeholders in the field of lunar activities.

The UK and Canadian Space Agencies just launched the Aqualunar Challenge

by Christophe Bosquillon

The UK Space Agency (UK-led ) together with the Canadian Space Agency (Canada-led ) just launched the Aqualunar Challenge - a ￡1.2m challenge prize to reward the development of new technologies that can purify water ice found in the Moon’s soil. As part of their contribution to the Artemis Missions, UKSA and CSA hope these technologies will go on to support a permanent crewed lunar base, providing a source of water for drinking and growing food, as well as a source of oxygen for air and hydrogen for fuel.

This challenge is also rooted in popular demand: findings from new research show how people in the UK would like these kinds of technology to be repurposed to meet sustainability challenges on Earth. The Aqualunar Challenge is an open innovation competition, entrants do not need prior experience of working in the space sector. Innovators that work in, for example, the water, chemical and physical engineering, biosciences, environmental sciences and the sustainability sectors are encouraged just as much as those already working in the space and satellite sectors.

The challenge encourages international collaboration within teams, although entrants to the UK track must have a UK lead partner (likewise the Canadian track requires a Canadian lead partner). Nesta’s Challenge Works is in charge of the logistics of the Aqualunar Challenge. The deadline to enter the Aqualunar Challenge is 8 April 2024. Practical details here and here .

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 and COSPAR – Committee on Space Research . 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 .

Upcoming Participation of MVA and GEGSLA at UN COPUOS STSC 2024

The Moon Village Association (MVA) and the Global Expert Group on Sustainable Lunar Activities (GEGSLA) are set to make a significant contribution at the upcoming 2024 session of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space's Scientific and Technical Subcommittee (UN COPUOS STSC). The participation will be marked by the submission of two conference room papers and one technical presentation.

6th GEGSLA Operational Meeting Set for May 29, 2024: Focusing on UN COPUOS Preparations

We are excited to announce the upcoming 6th Operational Meeting of the Global Expert Group on Sustainable Lunar Activities (GEGSLA), scheduled for May 29, 2024. This meeting is set to be a pivotal gathering for GEGSLA, especially as it aims to prepare for the upcoming United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UN COPUOS) session. The meeting represents a crucial opportunity for our experts and working groups to synchronize their efforts, review the progress made so far, and strategize for the future.

In line with our commitment to inclusivity and global participation, the 6th Operational Meeting will be conducted virtually. This format ensures that our international members can contribute effectively, regardless of their location. The agenda for this meeting is particularly significant as it will focus on shaping our contributions and positions for the forthcoming UN COPUOS session. We'll be discussing critical developments in policy, ongoing outreach efforts, the advancement of our research projects, and exploring new partnership avenues.

We urge all participants to prioritize this meeting and register early using the provided link, ensuring their active participation in these crucial discussions. The registration link and additional details about the meeting's agenda and logistics will be shared in our upcoming newsletter.

This meeting is more than just a routine gathering; it's a call to action for all GEGSLA members to collaboratively steer the direction of sustainable lunar activities and make a meaningful impact at the UN COPUOS. Let's come together to make this a defining moment for GEGSLA and set the tone for our collective efforts in 2024 and beyond.

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] .