Making Moon Science More Affordable and Effective

The moon is back in the spotlight, with new efforts pushing for regular exploration and discovery. These missions, driven by private companies, are all about landing safely and delivering important scientific tools. The goal is to answer big questions about our lunar neighbor. These missions are part of a broader push to make space exploration more affordable and accessible. The idea is to take more risks to save money, but this approach should extend beyond just the landings. It should also apply to the scientific tools and missions themselves. The key is to focus on the value of the scientific questions, not just the cost of the mission. Whether a mission is big or small, if it tackles important questions, it deserves support. This is where programs like PRISM, PRISM SALSA, and SIMPLEx come in. They offer opportunities for low-cost missions and instruments that can still make a big impact. These missions are chosen based on their scientific merit, not just their budget. The challenge is that developing new, low-cost instruments comes with uncertainties. They need to be tested in real-world conditions to become reliable. This is where the idea of multiple attempts comes in. By allowing for follow-up missions, scientists can refine their tools and reduce risks. This approach has been successful with commercial lunar landers, and it could work for scientific missions too. The benefits are clear. Multiple, smaller missions can be more cost-effective than relying on one big mission. They also provide valuable experience and data, helping to advance scientific discovery. This is especially important for low-cost missions, which often involve new technologies and innovative approaches. By embracing this iterative mindset, NASA can build a more dynamic and sustainable future for lunar exploration. There are practical ways to make this happen. For example, NASA could incorporate optional reflights into initial mission proposals, or establish dedicated funding for follow-up attempts. They could also require spare hardware upfront, or collaborate with partners for cost-effective secondary flights. These steps would build resilience and continuity into the low-cost science pipeline, ensuring that promising technologies and talented teams can continue to make progress. This is a critical step in making moon science more affordable and effective.