HOUSTON – NASA researchers are among the participants who will present papers at the annual meeting of the Lunar Exploration Analysis Group Nov. 16-19 at the Lunar and Planetary Institute in Houston.

The workshop brings together academic, governmental and private sector interests to focus on the sustainability theme of the LEAG-coordinated Lunar Exploration Roadmap.
The program consists of contributed and invited oral presentations and contributed poster presentations centered on questions relevant to the workshop theme of sustaining lunar exploration.

The meeting will incorporate the results from the latest missions, especially the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter/Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite mission, to ensure that the framework for a sustainable presence is established early in this next era of lunar exploration.

Media may attend. Media may register at no cost by contacting Linda Tanner at tanner@lpi.usra.edu or 281-486-2142.

A list of noteworthy NASA-related presentations is below.

Details about the meeting, including the preliminary program, can be found at: http://www.lpi.usra.edu/meetings/leag2009/

HIGH-GRADING LUNAR SAMPLES FOR POTENTIAL RETURN TO EARTH
LEAD PRESENTER: Carlton Allen, NASA Johnson Space Center

Astronauts on long-duration lunar missions need the capability to “high-grade” their samples – to select the highest value samples for potential transport to Earth – and to leave others on the moon. The paper discusses studies that are being supported to define the “necessary and sufficient” measurements and techniques for high-grading samples at a lunar outpost.

DIVINER LUNAR RADIOMETER EXPERIMENT—TEMPERATURE, MINERALOGY, AND ROCK ABUNDANCE
LEAD PRESENTER: Carlton Allen, NASA Johnson Space Center

The paper discusses using the Diviner instrument on the LRO to support lunar science and exploration.

GEOHAZARDS ON THE MOON AND THE IMPORTANCE OF THE INTERNATIONAL LUNAR NETWORK
LEAD PRESENTER: Barbara Cohen, NASA Marshall Space Flight Center

Unexpected structural damage to a lunar habitat by strong lunar “moonquakes” could have devastating results. A long-lived, global lunar seismic network such as the International Lunar Network (ILN) would have great value to human exploration by characterizing lunar seismicity and establishing the origin, frequency and propagation of strong moonquakes. This talk will provide an update on ILN Anchor Node concept development and risk reduction activities.

AN OVERVIEW OF THE LUNAR CRATER OBSERVATION AND SENSING SATELLITE (LCROSS) MISSION IMPACT RESULTS
LEAD PRESENTER: Anthony Colaprete, NASA Ames Research Center

This talk will present the preliminary findings from the Oct. 9, 2009, LCROSS impacts into the Cabeus crater near the moon’s south pole.

GEOLAB 2010: DESERT RATS FIELD DEMONSTRATION
LEAD PRESENTER: Cynthia Evans, NASA Johnson Space Center

In 2010, Desert Research and Technology Studies (Desert RATS), NASA’s annual field exercise designed to test spacesuit and rover technologies, will include a first-generation lunar habitat facility, the Habitat Demonstration Unit (HDU). A Geology Laboratory or GeoLab is included in the HDU design.

LUNAR BEAGLE: THE SCIENTIFIC PACKAGE FOR ANSWERING IMPORTANT QUESTIONS ABOUT LUNAR WATER AND POLAR VOLATILES
LEAD PRESENTER: Everett Gibson, NASA Johnson Space Center

The paper addresses how the Lunar Beagle package is the ideal payload to use on the lunar surface for determining the nature of hydrogen, water and lunar volatiles found in the polar regions of the moon.

SCIENCE SUPPORT ROOM OPERATIONS DURING DESERT RATS 2009
LEAD PRESENTER: Gary Lofgren, NASA Johnson Space Center

The paper discusses lessons learned in science support to the 2009 Desert Rats field exercise

EXPLORATION SUSTAINABILITY: BENEFITS AND HURDLES OF INCOROPORATING IN-SITU RESOURCE UTILIZATION
LEAD PRESENTER: Gerald Sanders, NASA Johnson Space Center

The paper is based on ongoing work with the International Architecture Working Group.