UK-led consortium kickstarts mission to the Moon

The aims of Lunar Mission One, which is being delivered by UK-led holding company Lunar Missions Ltd, include the use of innovative new technology to drill for samples unaffected by cosmic radiation and meteor bombardment.

By drilling down to depths of between 20m and 100m, the mission will be able to access and analyse lunar rock dating back around 4.5 billion years for the first time. In doing so, the mission will provide new and significantly advanced insights into the origins and evolution of the Moon and Earth.

It will also inform the practicality of a permanent manned base at the lunar South Pole, the company said in a statement.

Partners and advisors include RAL Space, University College London, Open University and the Institute of Education.

Lunar Mission One is using crowdfunding platform Kickstarter to fund the development phase of the project. Supporters who make pledges to the project via Kickstarter will become lifetime members of the Lunar Missions Club with access to information and experiences relating to the project, from ‘Meet the Experts’ events to the opportunity to have their name inscribed on the lunar landing module.