Europe Leads the Way in Lunar Exploration Sat. The moon can be seen as an escaped continent of Earth . The question now facing the world is how best to transform that barren landmass into a thriving hub of scientific research and industrialization. Increasingly, many nations are taking a longing look at Earth's celestial next-door neighbor. To prove the point, you don't have to look much farther than the Fourth International Conference on Exploration and Utilization of the Moon.
All space agencies can now start a precursor and robotic lunar program in coordination.
Next steps on the moon Plotting the next steps on the moon is already on Europe's space agenda. Similarly, Japan is readying its Lunar A mission in 2003, and the Selene moon lander for a 2004 touchdown. Foing is chairman of the group. The document serves as a plan of action for international lunar explorers and space agencies keen on 21st-century exploration and use of the moon, Foing said. Duke is also a research scientist at the Lunar and Planetary Institute in Houston, Texas.