International Observe The Moon Night Draws Worldwide Attention
Annual Event InOMN 2015 Will Bringing Awareness / Education / Deeper Understandings Of The Moon At More Than 500 Registered Locations Across The Globe On 19 September; Activities At Many Sites Include Telescope Use, Public Talks, Planetarium Shows And Lunar Related Activities Showcasing Moon & Connections To NASA Planetary Science & Exploration; Moon Will Be At First Quarter With Shallow-Angle Sunlight Reflecting & Illuminating Lunar Surface In Extraordinary Detail Enhancing Ability To View Moon Valleys / Mountains / Craters
Credit: NASA, InOMN, SSERVI, LPI
Lunar Polar Hydrogen Mapper (LunaH-Map) CubeSat Is A Candidate To Launch On NASA SLS Exploration Mission-1, Would Be ASU First Interplanetary Mission; Lunar Water Exploration Objective Vital To NASA Strategy For Future Human Space Missions; ASU NewSpace Initiative Led By Scott Smas, Jim Bell & Craig Hardgrove (L-R) With Bell As Deputy Principal Investigator; Principal Investigator Hardgrove Reaffirms ASU Achievements / Commitments To NASA & “Abundance Of Hydrogen At Lunar Poles”
Next-Generation Human Space Transportation Beyond Low Earth Orbit Progressing With Orion Spacecraft Designed For Deep Space Exploration; Contractor Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company (LMSSC) Working Closely With NASA In Constructing The Craft; Dr. Michael Hawes, LMSSC VP & Program Manager Discusses Goal Of Deep Space & “We’re Going To Do That Building From The Moon Out” Noting The Benefits Of A Station On Moon Far Side With Power & Communications
Robotic Moon Mission LADEE Neutral Mass Spectrometer Providing Comprehensive Data On Lunar Atmosphere, Surface Conditions & Dust Within The Environment; Mehdi Benna Of NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Confirms Presence Of Neon In Moon Exosphere; Along With Helium, & Argon, Neon Is Volatile Enough To Enter Atmosphere From Surface After Deposit By Solar Wind; Benna Notes “It’s Critical To Learn About The Lunar Exosphere Before Sustained Human Exploration Substantially Alters It” Referring To Rocket Exhaust & Spacecraft Outgassing
Latest Advances In Autonomous Teleoperated Arial Craft (Drones) May Revolutionize Lunar & Other Planetary Explorations In Areas Too Difficult For Human Maneuvering & At Lower Cost; Drones Could Prospect Lunar Surface For Ice & Resources Further Promoting The Ability To Access Moon / Deep Space; Paul Spudis Comments On Drone Challenges Of Different Atmospheres & Adaptions Required And Advantages Of Prolonged Flight Viewing Ability For Geologic Data Collection, Prospecting & Mapping Lunar Polar Regions, Craters, Lava Tubes
