More than 60 years since the “space race” between the U.S. and Soviet Union began, scientists, engineers and astronomers are once again focused on what they think could be the next launchpad for space exploration.How and when humans will return to the Moon, and what they will do when they get there, is the topic of the NASA Exploration Science Forum, July 22-24 at the University of New Mexico Student Union Building.Educators, students, researchers — even astronauts — have gathered to learn about and discuss how the Moon is the logical place to begin the next chapter of human space exploration.”This year’s overarching theme explores how do we successfully explore the Moon — unravel its origin, evolution, and current state, as well as identify potential resources for sustained human activities on the Moon and beyond. develop an Earth-Moon economy, and engage the public during this great human adventure,” said Charles Shearer, organizer of the forum and a professor at UNM’s Institute of Meteoritics. Shearer is also a leader of the NASA CASA Moon Initiative that began in 2023 and involves an international team working at UNM to analyze lunar samples and data on the Moon’s evolution and resources.In addition to discussions about Moon exploration and development, the forum will also have an exhibit of students’ artwork with a Moon theme, and Moon-inspired music from a band of California college STEM students named From The Peaks, whose song “Artemis” is about the lunar exploration program of the same name.The forum was preceded by a workshop for New Mexico K-12 educators on how to utilize lunar samples in their classrooms.
More than 60 years since the “space race” between the U.S. and Soviet Union began, scientists, engineers and astronomers are once again focused on what they think could be the next launchpad for space exploration.
How and when humans will return to the Moon, and what they will do when they get there, is the topic of the NASA Exploration Science Forum, July 22-24 at the University of New Mexico Student Union Building.
Educators, students, researchers — even astronauts — have gathered to learn about and discuss how the Moon is the logical place to begin the next chapter of human space exploration.
“This year’s overarching theme explores how do we successfully explore the Moon — unravel its origin, evolution, and current state, as well as identify potential resources for sustained human activities on the Moon and beyond. develop an Earth-Moon economy, and engage the public during this great human adventure,” said Charles Shearer, organizer of the forum and a professor at UNM’s Institute of Meteoritics.
Shearer is also a leader of the NASA CASA Moon Initiative that began in 2023 and involves an international team working at UNM to analyze lunar samples and data on the Moon’s evolution and resources.
In addition to discussions about Moon exploration and development, the forum will also have an exhibit of students’ artwork with a Moon theme, and Moon-inspired music from a band of California college STEM students named From The Peaks, whose song “Artemis” is about the lunar exploration program of the same name.
The forum was preceded by a workshop for New Mexico K-12 educators on how to utilize lunar samples in their classrooms.
