Technology Development for Lunar Thermal Applications and the Next Generation of Space Exploration.

In recent years, NASA has shown a renewed interest in Lunar exploration. This renewed interest is expected to spawn a new era of exploration into the solar system, as well as generate new residual technologies for earth application. A review of experiences on the prior Apollo missions shows that there are significant challenges associated with returning to and establishing a base for humans in the harsh Lunar environment. The present article is a high level overview of the effort to return to the Moon, in the context of a larger effort towards human expansion farther into the solar system. Also included is a review of technical challenges associated with returning to the Moon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]