![]() A develops some of the preparatory science activities, telescope design and lunar infrastructure needs of lunar astronomy. In order to have an impact on planning for future lunar operations, now is the optimal time to generate science input to these plans. Potentially, this could result in a huge science impact at a relatively low additional cost. Observational astronomy is one of the main scientific fields that will benefit from renewed operations on the lunar surface. In the longer term, lunar resources might enable human operations deeper into the Solar System, which themselves may be expected to yield scientific and societal benefits. There are also potentially wider societal and geopolitical benefits, including the provision of a focus for international cooperation, and an inspirational stimulus for scientific and technical education. There are multiple scientific reasons for wishing to resume the robotic and human exploration of the lunar surface, ranging from lunar geology to astrobiology. The Chinese National Space Administration has announced plans for a lunar base. ![]() ![]() The US Administration has recently re-orientated NASA's planning towards the Moon, and the Director General of ESA has advocated the creation of a human–robotic outpost on the Moon (a ‘Moon Village') as the next major step in space exploration. There is increasing interest in returning astronauts to the lunar surface.
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