As a natural first step in implementing the Step-by-step strategy, one mission has been designed into considerable detail. This precursor mission will be a stepping stone for human exploration away from Earth.

Introduction

Current technology allows for many fantastic missions that could stimulate space travel. At this moment, all large scale space activities are government funded and economic return is poor. The major obstacle to achieving global involvement into large scale, economically viable space enterprises is the lack of public involvement, education and interest. The primary goal of the precursor mission was to overcome this obstacle.

Precursor Mission Candidates

Many candidates for precursor missions were been identified: an orbital greenhouse in LEO, a space hotel in LEO, a NEO water extraction mission, two lunar ISRU demonstrations, and a Lunar Rover Race (LRR). Based on defined precursor mission requirements, the LRR was selected.

Lunar Rover Race Overview

The most descriptive form in which the LRR concept could be phrased is that of a public education, awareness and involvement mission. In the Olympic spirit, it is a robotic race on the Moon, with ten participants who will stride for the prestigious gold, silver and bronze medals. From Apollo 17 to Luna 21 and back, the track goes along twelve checkpoints located at interesting lunar sites, each separated by approximately 30 to 40 km. In ten Earth days, the small rovers will hustle to finish the track in the fastest possible way. Next to the gold medal, the first finalist will name the soil track that has been produced by the racing vehicles. Each stage begins at noon of each racing day. As each racing day is defined as having 20 hours instead of 24, racing-noon will rotate around the globe with steps of 60 degrees in the western direction, thus allowing all humankind to watch two race stages at a convenient time.

Post Race Activities

After the race, two days of sunlight remain before the lunar night ends this spectacular mission. During those days, the rovers will be used for commercial and public educational purposes.

Participation

Participation in the race is not constrained by any kind of discrimination: any and everybody may participate, from small "arage teams" to ISU alumni, space agencies, or even the military. Participants are selected through national contests (paper studies), and eventually continental Earth rover races. Sponsorship and advertisement will provide funding for these huge media events. There will be at least one participant from each continent, and five will be the best second place winners of those initial contests.

Technology Transfer

The racing authority stimulates new technology by requiring two design documents from each participant. The first of these documents is an outline of key features and is open to public. The second one is a comprehensive design and analysis report that will only be published with the written consent of the participant.

Mission Architecture

For the overall mission, a landing spacecraft has been outlined that weighs approximately 1.6 tons and can carry the ten rovers and media vehicle to the Moon. The media vehicle concept has been described. It has been shown to be feasible to create one that can give video coverage from a distance of 4 km. The preliminary mission architecture study has given an overview of available launchers.

Public Outreach, Awareness, Education and Support

A comprehensive public awareness and education plan has been set up to achieve the mission goal. Next to the activities during the race, this extensive plan focuses on both the pre-race activities, and the activities that serve to keep the public interested afterwards. It includes such activities as setting up web pages, organizing the Space Olympics, and other contests.

Funding and Business Concept

It is envisaged that the mission and all preceding activities will be funded entirely by sponsorship, advertisement and merchandising. An outline of a business concept has been setup to present an idea of how this mission could be implemented.

Conclusion

The mission as it is outlined in this chapter is a realistic undertaking that will bring space "down to Earth" by actively involving the public in a fun and educational way. The mission is feasible with current technology and infrastructure. Furthermore, it could be the one of the first self-funded space enterprise.

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