The Sixth International Lunar Conference was held November
22-26 in Udaipur, India hosted by PRL and ISRO, and cosponsored by
the International Lunar Exploration Working Group (ILEWG) and ESA.
The President of India, Dr. Abdul Kalam, addressed the group with
insightful vision and highly relevant recommendations for
international activities in exploration of the Moon, "for the benefit
of human kind".
Discussions and presentations by 200 scientists from 17
countries focused on new and planned missions to the Moon as well as
roadmap concepts for long term exploration of the Moon and
utilization of lunar resources. The program included key elements of
science overview and opportunities for young scientists. The
participants express gratitude to the Organizing Committee for the
rich opportunity for extensive interactions as well as the culturally
enhancing environment and program.
A new lunar decade has begun. SMART-1 technology opens the
fleet of new missions being flown to the Moon. Plans for
Chandrayaan-1 are timely, scientifically relevant, building
infrastructure for future exploration. Additional complementary
missions of exceptional value include SELENE, Lunar-A, Chang'E, Lunar
Reconnaissance Orbiter and Moonrise.
We acknowledge that fundamental science questions about the
Moon remain to be addressed, not only to understand the early history
of the Earth/Moon system and its current environment, but also to
acquire knowledge for the next steps of exploration and human
utilization. Of prime importance is formation and evolution of the
terrestrial planets, including the origin of the Moon. Central is the
impact history at 1 AU, including the absolute timing of early events
such as the giant basins. A major unknown is also the internal
structure of the Moon, both its geophysical and compositional
properties. The Moon is a natural laboratory for studying the
interaction with the space environment, together with the products
produced such as the polar deposits.
Recognizing that the lunar exploration program must later
include advanced orbital instruments as well as in-situ analyses from
several surface stations and targeted sample return, we urge broad
and open discussion and coordination for selections of landing sites
to optimize the science return and benefit for exploration.
We believe that exploration and utilization of the Moon will
bring global benefits to human kind as well as serve national needs,
and we recommend an international plan for implementation. The
participants endorse the ILEWG stepwise approach, starting with joint
science analysis from ongoing precursor missions (Smart-1, Lunar-A,
SELENE, Chang'E, Chandrayaan-1, Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter,
Moonrise), continuing with lunar landers cooperating into an
international lunar robotic village before 2014, evolving
technologies for man-tended missions and preparing the ground for an
effective, affordable human lunar exploration and permanent presence
by 2024. We encourage space agencies to coordinate and integrate
their plans in a robust international Moon-Mars roadmap in
coordination with the ILEWG roadmap, where the partners can identify
their contribution for an effective implementation using their skills.
As we move forward with mission implementation, we urge the
space agencies to study and coordinate international lunar
infrastructures and assets, such as telecommunication, navigation,
logistics, lunar internet, that are necessary for an effective lunar
exploration. We specifically recommend coordination of international
efforts for the establishment of "standards" to facilitate lunar
exploitation and settlement - e.g., use of the metric system,
well-characterized lunar soil simulants, common data formats and
instrument interfaces; frequency, and power. We urge establishment of
a standard lunar geodetic network. We also recommend that the "Moon
Treaty" be revisited, refined, and revised as necessary in light of
the present-day impetus for expeditions, both robotic and human, to
the Moon by several nations.
The next ILEWG International Conference on Exploration and
Utilization of the Moon will be a focused conference held in
Montreal, Canada September 2005. A full International Conference on
Exploration and Utilization of the Moon will be held in China during
July 2006 before the COSPAR Beijing assembly.
We believe missions to the Moon have an enormous potential to
inspire both the young as well as their parents because the Moon is
visible to all and is within our reach to visit. Herewith we
encourage young scientists of different fields and nations to join
this activity and work together in realizing lunar exploration goals.
November 26, 2004
Udaipur, India
