ESA is currently carrying out a phase A/B1 study for a Lunar Environment Analysis Package, aiming to be deployed robotically at the lunar surface around 2030.
To advance, refine, and mature the science enabled by this package, we are organizing a 2-day workshop at ESTEC, Noordwijk.
The package will measure the lunar space environment, characterized by the complex dynamics between plasma, fields, neutrals, dust, and the lunar surface.
That will cover the science domains of interest with the following objectives:
1. Inform the community on the timeline, present the scientific scope of such a package;
2. Review and discuss, per science area, potential objectives and measurement targets, as well as associated science data products, considering natural- and anthropogenic-driven environmental signatures.
- Space plasma environment at the lunar surface, including particles, fields, waves, and radiations
- Near-surface lunar dust dynamics
- Lunar exospheric environment and variations
- Coupling physics between environmental domains—plasma, dust, exosphere, and the Moon
- Space weather monitoring for Earth and Moon
- Perturbations to the pristine lunar environment
3. Collect community feedback and inputs to be considered as additional science objectives and requirements.
