Internet-Accessible Observatory Headed to the Moon's South Pole in 2016

The world's first mission to the Moon's South Pole was announced today, and it's going to be carried out by a private company.

The International Lunar Observatory Association, a global consortium of scientists, educators, and entrepreneurs, wanted to plant its namesake observatory on the Moon's South Pole in order to carry out scientific research using its astrophysical observations. So they asked Moon Express, Inc., a privately funded "lunar commerce company," to deliver their lunar telescope and antennae hardware to Earth's biggest satellite.

Moon Express will also use their time on the Moon's South Pole - the first ever mission to land there - to explore the area for mineral (energy) resources and water. Designed and built by the Silicon Valley-based Moon Express, Int., the robotic delivery vehicle is designed to place the International Lunar Observatory (ILO) on the Moon's pole. Along with the lunar lander, Moon Express is providing the mission plan and operations expertise.

"We are very excited to our announce that our second Moon mission will be to the lunar South Pole to deliver the International Lunar Observatory and to prospect for resources," said Moon Express CEO Dr. Bob Richards. "The mission will provide a historic landing in an unexplored region of the Moon that may harbor some of the greatest resource deposits in the solar system."

The ILO has a 2-meter dish radio antennae and an optical telescope on a lunar peak called Malapert Mountain. It will be the world's first instrument to conduct international astrophysical observations and communications, according to Moon Express's blog, from the lunar surface.

The ILO's especially cool aspect is that it's designed to have an internet-based access and control system, with an always-on "direct line of access to Earth," from its place at the South Pole, according to Wired. And not only will it the ILO be available through the internet for the ILO Association, but it will be available to researchers, educators, and the general public. With this system, the ILOA wants to create a new model of "citizen science" and public participation in astronomical observation - all from the surface of the Moon.

Indeed the ILOA has high hopes that this is just the beginning of a long trend of lunar enthusiasm: "The ILO will demonstrate the value of the Moon for scientific study of the Galaxy, Moon, Earth, Sun and Stars," said Steve Durst, founder and director of the ILOA and Space Age Publishing Company. "We are a global consortium of scientists, educators, entrepreneurs and visionaries who seek to establish a scientific presence on the Moon followed by human exploration and eventual settlement." 

Before the ILO makes it to the moon, the ILO-X, or the International Lunar Observatory precursor - a small internet-connected optical telescope - will hop aboard Moon Express's first ever-lunar mission in 2015. If Moon Express is successful in that mission, they will be awarded $20 million from Google's Lunar X-Prize. After that, the ILOA and Moon Express want to get the larger ILO observatory on the moon as soon as 2016, though with costs estimated to reach upwards of $100 million (and given unexpected problems and delays), it could be as long as 2018 before the mission is a success.

Still, on the eve of the 44^th anniversary of the very first time a human being - Neil Armstrong - stepped foot on the moon, it's nice to know that at least private companies are planning one small step towards renewing our collective lunar ambitions.