We’re going to the Moon!

And we need to figure out how to live off the land!

What — and how — do we know about how the Moon formed and changed through time, and how does its history impact what we find where? Our visits to six places on the Moon brought us new scientific understanding about its geologic history and the materials that make up the lunar landscape, but much of the Moon remained unexplored during these landings. Past and present spacecraft missions carry instruments that measure different wavelengths of light reflected off the Moon’s surface. These missions are presenting scientists and engineers with new data about the entire Moon, its features, environment, and materials. With this information we can plan how to use the available materials to support future lunar outposts.

Three posters, designed for students in 6th to 9th grade, explore these ideas.