Towards a Lunar Generation: First MVA Online Workshop for Students and Young Professionals

Note: Discussion Groups will arrange their own time to meet on this day for their discussions.

Note: Discussion Groups will arrange their own time to meet on this day for their discussions.

Note: Discussion Groups will arrange their own time to meet on this day for their discussions.

Note: Discussion Groups will arrange their own time to meet on this day for their discussions.

Note: Discussion Groups will arrange their own time to meet on this day for their discussions.

This day is dedicated to discussion groups to finalize their discussions and prepare for presentations on Sunday.

Although humans have not set foot on the Moon since 1972, there has been renewed interest in returning to the lunar surface over the last several years. With a new ‘race’ to secure resources and land for infrastructure, there still exists little legislation to guide governments and private entities on how to appropriately conduct such activities on the Moon. With multiple actors already preparing themselves to partake in lunar developments and exploitation, decisions relating to the legal and policy aspects of lunar construction and resource management need to be made as soon as possible. The primary aim of this discussion group is to understand the difficulties inherent in establishing legislation and policy related to Moon resources and infrastructure, while finally offering answers to some of the most critical questions on the topic. We shall tackle questions of ownership and coordination among stakeholders, the reduction of obstacles and hostile interactions, and what the legal framework for the use of lunar resources could look like in the next ten years. The discussion group shall put forward their responses in a coordinated presentation.

• Q1: What are the main challenges and obstacles to a legal framework for lunar resources?
• Q2: How should resources and infrastructure be shared between various stakeholders?
• Q3: How can actors reduce the risk of unpeaceful interactions on the Moon?
• Q4: What could the legal framework for use of lunar resources look like in the next 5, 10 and 50 years? What role can the MVA play in this regard?

Moderator: Molly Silk

Keynote Speaker: Mark J. Sundahl (Global Space Law Center)

Subject Matter Experts: Mark J. Sundahl (Global Space Law Center), Chris Johnson (Secure World Foundation), Stephanie Wan (IMSG)

This hackathon is focused on developing business ideas for lunar Explorations in the year 2030. Participants will be placed in 4 to 5 teams and will follow a design sprint journey as follows:

• Problem Definition
• Brainstorming for Solutions
• Business Model
• Pitch your idea

Teams will receive 3 challenges from the moderators, and are allowed to select an alternative challenge of their own. Participants will pitch their ideas to all participants and a panel of judges at the end of the event.

Moderators: Georges-antoni Moubayed – Kaori Becerril

Keynote Speaker: Manny Shar (Bryce Space and Technology)

Subject Matter Experts: Jenna Tiwana, Derek Webber

Based on the scientific objectives identified by NASA and ESA for future exploration of the Moon, this discussion group will try to answer several questions regarding these objectives. First, the group will try to identify any additional scientific objectives based on the group’s expertise. The main activity of this discussion group however, is to look at these scientific objectives from an implementation point of view. The discussion group will look at what the role of human and/or robotic exploration of the Moon is for the scientific objectives. Also, the way this exploration is plannen could be used as a subject for investigation, such as a (permanent) settlement or more sparse missions. We will end the workshop by visualising our vision for the future of science of the Moon. 

• Q1: What scientific objectives can we identify beyond the objectives stated in the background and reading materials?
• Q2: Which scientific objectives should be reached using manned missions and which using robotic missions?
• Q3: What scientific objectives require (a permanent) human settlement on the Moon, such as the Moon Village, and why?
• Q4 (optional): What is the role of the Moon in answering the scientific objectives?
• Q5: What  will scientific activity in the Moon look like in the next 5, 10 and 50 years? What role can the MVA play in this regard?

Moderator: Bas Krijnen

Keynote Speaker: Bernard Foing (VU Amsterdam/Leiden)

Subject Matter Experts: Bernard Foing (VU Amsterdam/Leiden), Ian Crawford (Professor of planetary science and astrobiology at Birkbeck, University of London), Madhu Thangavelu (USC Architecture), Melissa Battler (Mission Control Space Systems), Gordon “Oz” Osinski (Professor and NSERC/MDA/CSA/CEMI Industrial Research Chair in Earth and Space Exploration, Western University)

With space agencies around the world competing to send the next manned mission to the surface of the Moon within the next decade, the prospect of a sustained settlement on our closest planetary body seems closer than ever before. Which technologies can ensure that our future Moon village is as sustainable as possible? This discussion group will work on creating a priority list of current and emerging technologies with the most potential and assessing their technology readiness levels. A main focal point will be the role the MVA can play in supporting the development of these technologies and the involvement of emerging space countries.

• Q1: What are the main enabling technologies for operation on the Moon? What TRL are they?
• Q2: What emerging technologies will play a role in the next 5/10/50 years?
• Q3: What role can emerging technologies play in this area?
• Q4: How can the MVA ensure emerging space countries can contribute to the development of those technologies?

Moderator: Teodora Todorova – Jorge Rubén Casir Ricaño

Subject Matter Experts: Kathleen Coderre (Lockheed Martin), John Mankins (MVA) Chantelle Dubois (CSA)

After acceptance to the event, participants will be allowed to submit a request for a lightning talk during their registration. Lightning talks will be a 5 minute opportunity to provide an overview on a project you are working on. These are not pitches to sell an object or a service, but an opportunity to share know-how and raise awareness about your work.

The hope is that these talks lead to additional interactions during the networking sessions of the event.

We will be organizing a networking event as an opportunity to interact with fellow participants, subject matter experts and some of the members of the MVA. The International Night will be an opportunity to go and explore different cultures as represented by our participants. We will also hold a Moon Trivia.

For the discussion groups, we expect 3 hours per weekend and 2 hours for a mid week checkpoint. Teams will be allowed to set up their own schedule for the discussion groups, which should help you work around your schedule.

Live sessions will be recorded, so you can catch up if you miss a session.

Yes! You can attend any events that work with your schedule.

Our team is currently working on the final schedule and will be updated regularly based on the availability of speakers and subject matter experts.

• Delegate Welcome Pack + Surprise Goodies
• Access to Discussion Groups with Subject Matter Experts
• Keynotes and lightning talks
• Optional sessions