TP17

This is an Open Session on Lunar Science and Exploration. Key themes include innovative science on the deep interior, subsurface structure, surface morphology, up to exospheric dynamics and the solar wind interaction. Studies can make use of lunar missions data, lunar samples, meteorites, terrestrial analogues, laboratory experiments, theoretical work and modeling efforts.

We welcome all relevant contributions — theory, observations, instruments, experiments, analogues — from experts of different fields including science, engineering, industry, agencies, human exploration, resources, economy and policy.

The number of Lunar exploration missions in preparation and planned to arrive and operate at the lunar surface in the next decade is growing at a fast pace. Those missions will have to study, operate in, and survive the lunar environment. They will also perturb and modify the pristine environment significantly. The lunar space environment is a highly dynamic system governed by coupling processes between the solar wind/magnetospheric plasma, energetic particles, neutral and dust exosphere, lunar regolith and near surface dust, and magnetic anomalies. In recent years, almost all space agencies and many private companies and universities have been active in the preparation of new missions to the moon. Characterizing the pristine state as early as possible before it is contaminated by human activity (e.g. due to lunar landings or surface units outgassing) is of interest.

The session is supported by ILEWG LUNEX EuroMoonMars, the COSPAR PEX Panel on Exploration and COSPAR SCB commission (Space Studies of the Earth-Moon System, Planets, and Small Bodies)