Statement of Intent

Statement of Intent Regarding The International Lunar Network

Signed Statement of Intent.pdf

We, the signatories of this document, affirm that a robotic network on the surface of the Moon, which we propose to call the International Lunar Network (ILN), should provide significant scientific value to the exploration of the Moon. With this document, we hereby state our intention to explore ways in which to structure a partnership of space agencies to maximize the scientific return to all of the participants in the ILN concept. This partnership is an expression of the efforts to coordinate exploration activities consistent with the May 2007 Global Exploration Strategy: The Framework for Coordination which articulated a shared vision of space exploration focused on solar system destinations where humans may someday live and work. As conceived, the network would be gradually established by placing on the surface of the Moon potentially including its far side and/or polar regions, robotic landers or other vehicles equipped with instruments from a to be agreed-upon set of scientifically equivalent core instrumentation to carry out specific measurements. This core set of instrumentation is fundamental to the ILN concept, since it will allow intercomparison of measurements from instruments from different countries. Space agencies taking part in the ILN concept would, at their discretion, be free to include their own instruments or capabilities beyond those in the core suite. Participation in the ILN concept could come through the contribution of landers, orbiters, instrumentation, or other significant infrastructure contributions, including ground segment elements or power supplies for wiving the lunar night. Additional participants are welcome to join the ILN concept when they are programmatically and financially prepared to do so. As a condition of taking part in the ILN concept, participants will accept a to be defined set of core instruments and measurements, and will agree to a policy of free and open exchange of data from those core instruments, whilst the data obtained may be restricted among the participants for a certain period.

Working groups will be established to examine such key areas as the core suite of instrumentation/measurements and potential landing sites. Interoperable spectrum and communications standards will be coordinated through existing organizations; with membership in these organizations extended as needed to ILN participants who may not be current members. These working groups will be followed by later groups on mission implementation and data policy. The terms of reference for the working groups will be drafted and agreed-upon by all ILN concept participants and will focus on fully understanding the opportunities and advantages of the potential cooperation. The initial working group on core instrumentation should begin work as soon as possible, followed closely by landing sites and communications, with the goal of providing feed-back to the signatories by the end of 2008. All activities to be initiated as a result of the technical working group discussions will be documented by appropriate international agreements.

This Statement of Intent serves as an expression of interest in the ILN and will not constitute a binding commitment on the participants. Additionally, it is not the intention of this Statement of Intent to completely define the ILN concept at its end state, but rather to leave open the possibility for its evolution and implementation in both the near- and long-term. It is anticipated that the ILN will make this great scientific initiative a reality, which could be realized only through multilateral partnership.