DARPA lunar programs

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Recognizing the rapid lunar exploration, DARPA envisions a thriving cislunar and lunar economy of scientific research and commercial development over the next decade. [1] [2] It has launched two programs to address the need for shareable, scalable commercial systems essential to a robust lunar economy. [3] [4]

Contents

Lunar Guidelines for Infrastructure Consortium (LOGIC)

LOGIC intends to bring industry, academia, and government together to identify critical lunar infrastructure interoperability and interface needs for commercial lunar infrastructure. [5]

In October 2023, the Johns Hopkins University (JHU) Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) was selected to administer LOGIC as a permanent, self-sustaining, and independent forum for collaboration. [6]

10-Year Lunar Architecture (LunA-10)

Announced in August 2023, LunA-10 will conduct a seven-month capability study to create core technology concepts toward a series set of adaptable, expandable systems that can work together and be shared, “minimizing lunar footprint and creating monetizable services for future lunar users.” [2] The study is tailored to capabilities for commercial and economic uses, and will not be for military applications. [7]

The LunA-10 study’s focus areas are based on key sectors identified in a report titled “Lunar market assessment: market trends and challenges in the development of a lunar economy” by PwC Australia in September 2021. [2] Transit/mobility, energy, and communications are the three areas LunA-10 sees as forming the foundation of any other lunar industries. [8] Industries that may integrate technologies into the LunA-10 infrastructure include construction, mining, medicine, sciences, communications, etc. [9] In December 2023, 14 companies were funded to complete the study by June 2024 about the necessary infrastructure and capabilities required to develop a moon-based economy over the next ten years. [7] For example, aerospace company Northrop Grumman will provide a conceptual study of a “lunar railroad” network for commercial ventures. [10]

NASA has been working on a detailed architecture for lunar and Martian exploration. [11] DARPA has coordinated with NASA to make LunA-10 complementary to NASA architecture studies. [12]

An update on the program occurred in April 2024. With industry participants providing insight on how a lunar economy could be operationalized. Many proposals relied on the viability of in-situ resource utilization and low enough launch costs. [13]

See also

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References

  1. ↑ "Accelerating Interoperability Standards for Commercial Lunar Infrastructure". www.darpa.mil. October 11, 2023. Retrieved 2023-10-22.
  2. 1 2 3 "A Framework for Optimized, Integrated Lunar Infrastructure". www.darpa.mil. August 15, 2023. Retrieved 2023-10-22.
  3. ↑ Josh Dinner (2023-08-23). "DARPA wants to build a 'thriving commercial economy' on the moon in 10 years". Space.com. Retrieved 2023-10-22.
  4. ↑ "DARPA Seeks to Address Commercial Lunar Infrastructure Interoperability Gaps Through LOGIC Consortium - ExecutiveBiz". executivebiz.com. 2023-10-12. Retrieved 2023-10-22.
  5. ↑ McMillan, Tim (2023-10-18). "DARPA's LOGIC Initiative: Shaping the Pathway for Lunar Infrastructure Development and Off-World Societies". The Debrief. Retrieved 2023-10-22.
  6. ↑ "LOGIC Lunar Guidelines for Infrastructure Consortium". Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory. Retrieved October 21, 2013.
  7. 1 2 Easley, Mikayla (December 5, 2023). "DARPA taps 14 companies to study infrastructure needs for future lunar economy". defensescoop.com. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  8. ↑ Vigliarolo, Brandon. "We need a Moon tech interoperability standard, says DARPA". www.theregister.com. Retrieved 2023-10-22.
  9. ↑ "10-Year Lunar Architecture (LunA-10) Capability Study". The System for Award Management (SAM.gov). Retrieved October 21, 2023.
  10. ↑ Wall, Mike (March 19, 2024). "DARPA picks Northrop Grumman to develop 'lunar raiload' concept". space.com. Retrieved March 29, 2024.
  11. ↑ "Moon to Mars Architecture - NASA" . Retrieved 2023-10-23.
  12. ↑ Foust, Jeff (2023-08-16). "DARPA to study integrated lunar infrastructure". SpaceNews. Retrieved 2023-10-23.
  13. ↑ https://lsic.jhuapl.edu/uploadedDocs/meetings/docs/2441-DISTRO%20A%20LunA-10%20LSIC%20Performer%20Binder.pdf
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