Wednesday April 29, 2009
Dear Lunar Community:
As many of you are aware, the Science Mission Directorate of NASA has
commissioned the National Academy to undertake a Decadal Survey for the
Planetary Science Division of SMD. This was announced at the 40th Lunar and
Planetary Science Conference last month in Houston by Steve Squyres (Cornell),
who is the Chair of the Planetary Science Decadal Survey, (see the website for more details).
During his presentation, Steve emphasized the need for “extensive community input” and has charged the analysis groups to coordinate this input from the various communities. The Lunar Exploration Analysis Group is happy and eager to undertake such input
coordination for the lunar community. This was actually initiated at the 40th
LPSC with a community forum requested by SMD for community input into
defining the next SMD missions to the Moon after the International Lunar
Network (that report will be available on the LEAG web site shortly). In order to
build on this, LEAG is coordinating the following:
- A LEAG presence at each of the steering committee meetings of the
decadal steering committee in order to represent the lunar community
(meetings are currently scheduled for July 6-8 in Room 100 of the
National Academies’ Keck Center, at 500 Fifth St. NW, DC and
November 16–18 in the Huntington Room of the National Academies’
Beckman Center in Irvine, California. - Delivery of version 1.0 of the Lunar Exploration Roadmap (community
input has been sought for this via the web, username = “leag”, password =
“moonorbust” up until and including April 30th). A 3–5 page whitepaper
summarizing the roadmap will be the product. - A day-long community meeting to solicit input for the decadal at the
Lunar Science Forum at NASA AMES July 21–23, 2009. More details
will be available shortly. - LEAG is also partnering with the recently formed NASA Lunar Science
Institute to coordinate a set of white papers in order to funnel input from
this community. - In order to emphasize sample science, LEAG will also partner with
CAPTEM (the Curation and Analysis Planning Team for Extraterrestrial
Materials) to assemble a whitepaper on lunar sample return. - White papers from other groups and individuals are also being requested
and are welcome.
Instructions:
- Note that we are requesting white papers that detail ideas for the future of lunar scientific exploration, not ideas for white papers! White papers should also be succinct and should not exceed 5 (five) pages in total.
- White papers can be submitted via e-mail to leag@lpi.usra.edu.
- In the spirit of cooperation, input from international community is welcome, but it should be remembered that this is a planning effort for NASA.
- LEAG will set up a committee to handle the community input and format it for maximum effectiveness before passing it to the decadal survey
- LEAG is requesting all inputs by August 15th, 2009.
On behalf of the LEAG Executive Committee and the broader lunar community, I thank you in advance for your inputs to this process.
Sincerely yours,
Clive R. Neal
(LEAG Chair)
Download a PDF of the Community Letter
Lunar Exploration Analysis Group (LEAG)
Terms of Reference
The Lunar Exploration Analysis Group (LEAG) is responsible for analyzing scientific, technical, commercial, and operational issues associated with lunar exploration in response to requests by NASA. The LEAG serves as a community-based, interdisciplinary forum for future exploration and provides analysis in support of lunar exploration objectives and their implications for lunar architecture planning and activity prioritization. It provides findings and analysis to NASA through the NASA Advisory Council (the Council) within which the LEAG Chair is a member of the Planetary Science Subcommittee (PSS).
To carry out its role, the LEAG will:
- Provide findings, analysis, and other information that can be used to inform decisions on the science, technology, commercial, and operational content and priorities of lunar robotic and human missions.
- Provide a regular forum for broad discussion of lunar exploration science, technology, commerce, and operational issues, which will serve as a conduit for community input into lunar exploration activities and planning.
- Perform focused analyses in response to requests from the Exploration Systems Mission Directorate (ESMD), the Science Mission Directorate (SMD), the Space Operations Mission Directorate (SOMD), or the Committees of the Council.
- Coordinate analyses that involve both the Moon and Mars with the Mars Exploration Program Analysis Group (MEPAG).
The Chair of the LEAG is appointed to a two year term by the NASA Administrator in consultation with the NAC Chair following consultation with ESMD, SMD, and SOMD Associate Administrators, as well as with the Exploration and Science Committees, and the Planetary Sciences Subcommittee Chairs of the NAC. Membership and participation in the LEAG consists of lunar and planetary scientists, engineers, technologists, human systems specialists, mission designers, managers, and other participants in sustained lunar exploration drawn from the broad community of academia, industry, government, and the commercial sector. The LEAG may choose to organize sub-groups to deal with specific issues and report their findings to the full group. The Chair will be assisted by an Executive Secretary who serves as a single point of contact with NASA and an executive committee that will support planning and activities.The Executive Secretary will be appointed by the Associate Administrator for ESMD.
The LEAG will meet annually or as otherwise needed or upon request of the Council Chair. The LEAG Chair will set the regular annual meeting schedule in consultation with the LEAG Executive Committee. The findings of each meeting and analysis activity will be reported to the PSS and relevant Committees of the Council. Tasking for LEAG activities may be initiated through the Council Chair from ESMD, SMD, SOMD, the Committees and Subcommittees of the Council, or the LEAG Chair. The Council Chair will provide final approval, prioritization, and scheduling of requested tasks after consultation with the LEAG Chair and the Executive Secretary. Logistical and organizational support to the LEAG Chair will be provided through ESMD, SMD, SOMD, and the Lunar & Planetary Institute.
