BRITISH NATIONAL
SPACE CENTRE News Release (Ref No: 02/08) issued by The Government
News Network on 15 February 2008
The British
National Space Centre (BNSC) and the National Aeronautics and
Space Administration (NASA) have today issued a report from the
Joint Working Group (JWG) on lunar exploration that outlines next
steps in possible UK - US space exploration co-operation.
A key area of co-operation under consideration is a mission to
understand the Moon's structure, listen for
'Moonquakes' and trial the lunar cell-phone network of
the future.
The JWG report identified two potential elements of collaboration:
* the implementation of a UK-led robotic lunar mission, such as
the Moon Lightweight Interior and Telecoms Experiment (MoonLITE) mission;
* the development of science instruments and technology needed
for mid-term robotic and human exploration activities.
Commenting on the report, Professor Keith Mason, CEO Science and
Technology Facilities Council, and Chairman of the UK Space Board
(BNSC's governing body), said: "This joint report
represents a milestone in our co-operation with NASA whilst
building upon our longstanding collaboration in such highly
successful science missions as Swift, Stereo, Mars Reconnaissance
Orbiter and Cassini. The proposed missions provide an opportunity
to harness the UK's world-class expertise in small satellite,
communication and robotic technologies focused on exploration of
the Moon."
MoonLITE is a proposed UK-led small robotic mission to the Moon.
It comprises a satellite which would travel to the Moon, enter its
orbit and then release three or four 'penetrators' -
small missile-like vehicles - distributed over the Moon's
surface. Each penetrator would impact at high speed and embed
instruments just under the Moon's surface designed to reveal
the interior structure of the Moon. The satellite orbiter would
then act as a telecommunications relay station between the surface
penetrators and Earth during its one year life.
MoonLITE would deliver important new science about the
Moon's interior and history while also testing the space
communications network needed by future robotic and human
explorers. The US and UK have enjoyed a long history of successful
space co-operation. MoonLITE would build on this success and allow
both partners the opportunity to take advantage of their
particular strengths. NASA is considering several technologies and
experiments as potential US contributions to the UK mission.
The proposed next steps involve an international scientific
'peer-review' and a more detailed technical study of
MoonLITE leading to a definitive cost estimate before a decision
to go-ahead is taken. The launch date for MoonLITE is scheduled
for no earlier than 2012.
Professor Mason added: "This joint report between the UK and
NASA, coupled with the UK's major role in ESA's Aurora
programme of planetary exploration and our involvement in helping
to shape a Global Exploration Strategy, means the UK is fully
exploiting and strategically maximising its technological and
scientific strengths in space exploration."
The BNSC-NASA JWG originated from a Joint Statement of Intent for
Cooperation in the Field of Space Exploration signed by NASA
Administrator Michael Griffin and UK Director General for Science
and Innovation Sir Keith O'Nions on April 19, 2007, in
Washington, DC.
Notes to Editors
1. The BNSC-NASA JWG also identified other areas for potential
longer-term NASA-BNSC lunar co-operation, which could include:
* Searching for terrestrial material on the Moon
Scientists already have material blasted-off the early Moon and
Mars that have been brought to the Earth as meteorites. In the
same way, they believe that material from the ancient Earth may
have been transported to the Moon. Such material no longer exists
on Earth, so understanding more about the early Earth may depend
on properly exploring the Moon.
* Rover design and autonomous systems
The UK is leading the design of a rover for Mars exploration
through the ESA 'ExoMars' project but pooling expertise
with NASA could develop more advanced robots needed for lunar exploration.
* Examining the Earth's magnetosphere from the Moon
The Earth is protected from solar radiation by its magnetic
'bubble' which is continually changing with time. A
Moon-based observatory looking back at the Earth could observe the
whole 'picture' continuously.
2. The British National Space Centre (BNSC) is a partnership of
ten Government Departments, Research Councils, including the
Science and Technology Facilities Council, and the Met Office.
BNSC is at the heart of UK efforts to explore and exploit space.
BNSC co-ordinates UK civil space activities to benefit science,
enterprise and the environment and represents the UK at the
European Space Agency and at other international fora.
3. For further information about BNSC, visit http://www.bnsc.gov.uk