Abstract
A strategic framework for the Moon must weave together the economic, social, scientific, national security, and civil aspects that have evolved largely in isolation since the inception of the space age. The United States—based on its historical dependence upon space assets, exploration heritage, and global leadership position,—has the most to gain and lose by the tenor of its leadership in this framework's development and implementation. A permanent presence on the Moon, combined with the use of lunar and space resources, offers the means to create a new space age. Lunar exploration offers many scientific and cultural benefits and has significant historic implications. In addition, this extension of human reach beyond low Earth orbit, and the ability to regularly access and use cislunar space is critical for addressing emerging national, economic, and scientific challenges. An analogy to this strategic moment is the development of United States maritime policy at the beginning of the 20th century.
The ideas and opinions expressed in this work are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the positions or opinions of the organizations with which the authors are affiliated.
Notes
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Executive Office (note 1).
Japan will launch SELENE and China plans a lunar orbiter Chang'E in 2007, http://www.lpi.usra.edu/expmoon/future/future.html
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See, for example, C. Murray and C. Cox, Apollo: The Race to the Moon (New York and Chicago: Simon and Schuster, NY, 1989) and J.M. Logsdon, The Decision to go to the Moon: Project Apollo and the National Interest (Chicago, IL: Univ. Chicago Press, 1976).
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P.D. Spudis, The Once and Future Moon (City, ST: Smithsonian University Press, 1996).
See for example, D.B.J. Bussey, P.D. Spudis, M.S. Robinson, Illumination conditions at the lunar South Pole, Geophys. Res. Lett. 26: 9 (1999): 1187.
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Raup (note 21).