Inspiring the Next Generation of Lunar Explorers

Educational activities for young learners exploring Earth’s Moon, and the new leading space exploration missions.

Introduction

Human space exploration now extends beyond low Earth orbit to the Moon! Under the Artemis campaign and the Terrae Novae programme, humans will be sent to the Moon’s surface again after 2025. International cooperation is essential to achieve this goal, and many countries around the world are joining forces in this endeavor. Countries and agencies have started important discussions towards defining a common set of principles for a sustainable human exploration of space. In parallel, space agencies around the globe are collaborating on the future lunar orbiting station, Gateway. This and other initiatives will enable further research and eventually lead to surface habitats on the Moon’s surface. The goal is to create an environment that will allow humans to work on and around the Moon long-term, and it will take the cooperation of a global alliance to do it.

Likewise, the young learners of today need to be inspired to be part of this effort. Human space exploration is a long-term and open-ended activity, and it is important that the younger generation is made aware of and involved in the mission. Various space projects in the past have stimulated the creativity of the younger generation and contributed to the development of human resources. This is particularly the case in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields, where the human exploration of the Moon, including the Artemis campaign and the Terrae Novae programme, will provide an educational opportunity to foster the engagement and passion of future leaders in STEM and exploration. It will also foster the increased understanding that we, as partners, are in this together. To that end, the International Space Education Board is working to develop and leverage educational activities for young learners related to exploring Earth’s Moon on an international scale. Below, educators will find resources aimed at engaging their students and classrooms.

What is Artemis?

Artemis is the first step in the next era of human exploration, led by NASA along with its partners worldwide. Through Artemis missions, NASA will land the first woman and first person of color on the Moon, who will be using innovative technologies to explore more of the lunar surface than ever before. Artemis will see a return to the Moon for scientific discovery, economic benefits, and inspiration for a new generation of explorers. Commercial and international partners will collaborate to establish the first ever long term, sustainable presence on the Moon. Scientists and engineers will then use what they learn on and around the Moon to take the next giant leap: sending the first astronauts to Mars.

What is Terrae Novae?

The Terrae Novae exploration programme is leading Europe’s – and its many worldwide partners’ – human journey into the solar system. Exploring space is about travelling farther and coming back with new experiences and knowledge to help us on Earth. Humankind will benefit from the new discoveries, ambitions, science, inspiration, and challenges. Terrae Novae starts by using robots as precursors and scouts. Then, its strategy roadmap is an ambitious exploration vision for Europe. Its objectives are threefold: to create new opportunities in low Earth Orbit for a sustained European presence after the International Space Station, to enable the first European to explore the Moon’s surface by 2030 as a step towards sustainable lunar exploration, and to prepare the horizon goal of Europe being part of the first human mission to Mars.