China Moon-Based Telescope Carrying Out Continuous Observation In Near-Ultraviolet Spectrum, Already Captured Images Of 23 Astronomical Phenomena; Lunar Radar Acquiring Data In 2 Channels Exploring Structures 10m & 140m Below Lunar Surface, Identified 11 Chemical Elements In Regolith Including Magnesium, Aluminum, Titanium & Iron; Chang’e-3 Youth Team Receives Elite Youth Of China 2013 People Of Year Award
Image Credit: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Advocating For Strong USA Initiative To Realize Robotic & Human Missions To Lunar Poles ASAP, Paul Spudis Reviews Impact Of 1994 Clementine Moon Orbiter On America / World Space Policy; Over 71 Days Mission Collected >2M Images, 1st Global Topographic Map Of Moon, Revealed Aitken Basin / South Pole Features That Could Sustain Human Outpost: Peaks Of Near Permanent Sun Illumination, Evidence Of Water Ice / Hydrogen; Spudis On The Space Show Sunday 26 Jan
Image Size: NASA
European Space Agency Leaders Advancing Collaboration With Russia On Luna-27 / Luna- Resurs 1 Mission ~2019 To Research Frozen Volatiles Near Moon South Pole & ROSCOSMOS Lunar Polar Sample Return Mission Envisaged In Early 2020s; Meetings On 17-19 Feb 2014 At ESA ESTEC Will Explore Collaboration Possibilities, Evaluate Sample Return Science Proposals
Image Credit: ROSCOSMOS, ESA
CRaTER Instrument Aboard LRO Continuing To Characterize Global Lunar Radiation Environment & Its Biological Impact; CRaTER Website Converts Data From The 6 Instrument Detectors Into Music; Music Shifts From Major To Minor & Main Instrument Transitions Among 8 Options From Piano To Banjo As Cosmic Ray Count Increases; CRaTER Data Critical For Human Moon Mission / Lunar Base Construction Preparations
Image Credit: NASA, Business Insider
China Moon Crafts Resuming Scientific Work After Awakening From 2 Weeks Of Hibernation; Ground Penetrating Radar On Rover Expected To Gather New Information Related To Chemical Composition & Depth Of Lunar Soil, Aid Lunar Mining Preparations; Lunar Ultraviolet Telescopes Will Prove Value Of Moon-Based Observatories, Monitor Earth Plasmasphere, Observe Galaxies / Stars; Pictured (Inset): 1st Image Of Earth From Moon In 4 Decades
Image Credit: Chinese Academy Of Sciences
LADEE In Science Operations Orbit Skimming Moon Surface Between 20-50km & 75-150km; NMS Instrument Detecting Argon-40, Helium & Neon, LDEX Observing Occasional Bursts Of Dust Particles (Ranging From Few Per Minute To Several Hundred In Under 30 Seconds) Suspected Cause Is Meteoroids Impacting Surface, UVS Measuring Potassium & Sodium Levels; Chang’e-3 Landing Expected 14 Dec Will Add Dust, Gases To Atmosphere – LADEE May Be Able To Measure Distribution / Evolution
Image Credit: NASA, CNSA
China Spacecraft To Enter 100Km Circumlunar Orbit 09:30 UT After 112-Hour Cruise & Prepare For 14 Dec Landing At Sinus Iridum 44°N, 31°W Between 08:00-12:00; Chief Designer Sun Zezhou (L) States Mission Success Based On Safe Landing, Rover Functionality, Imaging Of Rover & Lander, Reception Of Data By Ground Control; Greg Kulacki (R) UCS China Project Manager Says China May Prefer International Collaboration On Human Moon Missions
Image Credit: CCTV, NASA GSFC, Beijing Institute of Spacecraft System Engineering, CNS
Lunar Plant Growth Habitat Team Of NASA Ames Research Center Will Try To Grow Arabidopsis, Basil, Sunflowers, Turnips In Coffee-Can-Sized Aluminum Cylinders On Moon; NASA Expects To Build / Launch For Under US$2M By Buying Space On Commercial Launch Of GLXP Team; Chief Biologist Dr. Robert Bowman (Center) Points Out Need To Understand Plant Ability To Overcome Stress Of Space Radiation, Moon Partial Gravity, Small / Controlled Environment For Use In Human Solar System Buildout
Image Credit: NASA, Hemil Modi
21 Nov Is Deadline To Submit Suggestions For Special Sessions For 45th Lunar & Planetary Science Conference At The Woodlands TX On 17-21 Mar 2014; Conference Brings Together International Specialists In Petrology, Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geology & Astronomy To Present Latest Results In Planetary Science; Abstract Submission Deadline 7 Jan 2014
Image Credit: NASA, USRA
Prime National Objective Announced By S Korea President Park Geun-Hye To Send Lunar Lander, 10-20 Kg Rover To Look For Rare Minerals & Orbiter To Moon In 2020 Aboard Korea Space Launch Vehicle-2 Rockets; 15 Government-Funded Research Institutions Led By KARI To Begin Collaborating In 2014, Hope To Overcome Challenges With NASA Support; May Need ~$655M To Complete Project By 2020; Also Potential For KARI Associate Membership In SSERVI
Image Credit: KARI, K. Dietsch/UPI/Newscom