Mission Plan
Each launch will bring (mass allowing) a communications and navigation satellite to Lunar Orbit.
Mission 1 Scout Class missions
"Google Lunar X-Prize" clone-like rovers delivered by a single lander. The lander will "hop" around to deposit the rovers, similar to an upside down Candy dispenser. The lander will return to a centralized high point and start operating as a radio relay, and will also contain a web and e-mail server. (Please don't /. it ;) - NOTE: this will NOT be a GLXP mission.
Mission 2 Sample return class missions
Locations for sample return missions will be determined by the Scout rovers of Mission 1. We plan for 50-100kg of samples and a Long Endurance Rover that "prospects" and gathers information. The landing is planned for the Shackleton Crater at the lunar southern pole. We will be looking for water, other useful resources, and a good location for a future shelter and outpost. Land will be claimed for the project (see growing and evolving discussion of lunar and other non-Earthly land ownership debates/policies). Place at minimum one communications satellite in orbit with the first launch. At least two of these missions are planned to give a good spread of target areas and rigorously test the technology. Rock samples will be returned to Western Ontario University and, after being safely cleared, then distributed to those who requested them or auctioned. Profits from this and other income opportunities will be used to fund the next mission. Media opportunities will include auctioning samples, contests to include students at various levels, naming rights as appropriate, documentary rights, etc.
Mission 3 a manned Pathfinder class mission
Presuming satisfactory site characteristics, tests, and technology development, this mission will be manned. A person with a lunar "tent" will stay as long as safely feasible, testing technology and evaluating sites for future construction. This first manned lander will be named "Tranquility" in honor of Apollo 11 (and Firefly/Serenity). Formal announcement of outpost construction plans for Mission 4. ===Development of licensed merchandise=== mock and real space/surface suits, other things as they are thought of.
Mission 4 Manned Explorer class missions Launch up to five astronauts (as many as possible given technology and supplies). Bring shelter materials and build a simple "Lunar Lodge" outpost. When it becomes feasible and safe, leave a volunteer living on the Moon between MoonRuns. Publicize this epochal event! Complete the outpost and offer highly profitable reservations to NASA, ESA, JAXA and other space agencies and to private individuals and organizations with big funding.
Develop Lunar Research Labs and Lunar Mining to the extent desirable. Pristine Lunarscape must be preserved so as not to export human commercial blight to a new world. Increase life support capacity as quickly as possible. Micro-gardens for oxygen replenishment and research and enjoyment. Improve and add hab capsules for crew and customer comfort.
Flight Plans Work with a launch provider to improve launch and landing capabilities. Since all the missions are going to the same place (The Moon), each will require a similar flight plan with the one way delivery only missions being truncated.
The Moon is a big place, and we can only work a small area first. The current thinking is Shackleton crater, but, either prove us wrong, or help us with our argument. Tell us exactly where to land first.
What will we do when we get there? Just going to build an outpost is certainly a reasonable goal, but, there really needs to be more, or it will be another Skylab. We want, no, need a reason to continue, to keep striving for more. So, Come, please, tell us what you want to do, what science you want to see done. (Only ideas you can participate in please...)
