The Challenge of Alternate Approaches to the Achievement of Lunar Exploration and Exploitation

Manned lunar scientific programs of NASA immediately following the Apollo and the Apollo Extension Systems programs are considered and assessed. Advanced Earth-Moon transportation systems, concepts, appropriate to the ensuing exploration phase of lunar activity, have been considered and applicable exploration concepts proposed. This paper concludes that a mobile exploration system for Apollo (MESA) concept provides an interim approach to lunar exploration and exploitation that offers significant scientific accomplishments. Its compatibility with the longer range objectives of lunar exploitation makes the MESA concept especially attractive as the next step beyond Apollo applications toward lunar conquest.