Lunar Exploration

Dear Colleagues,

Lunar exploration has entered a sustained operational phase driven by renewed interest in scientific investigation, in situ resource utilization and the establishment of long-duration surface activities. Recent and planned missions from multiple space agencies provide a heterogeneous but complementary dataset spanning orbital remote sensing, surface geology, geotechnical properties, volatile inventories, impact processes and the internal structure of the Moon. Upcoming architectures combine orbital assets, autonomous small satellites, surface mobility systems and distributed sensor networks, enabling continuous observation of the lunar environment at multiple spatial and temporal scales. 

The Special Issue addresses advances in lunar science and aerospace engineering supporting this transition. Topics include: (i) mission design for cis-lunar space and surface operations, (ii) guidance, navigation and control for small spacecraft operating in the Earth–Moon system, (iii) landing site characterization and terrain modeling, (iv) surface and subsurface measurements using seismology, georada and thermal sensors, (v) modeling of impact processes and meteoroid flux on the lunar surface, (vi) robotic mobility and EVA planning, (vii) resource prospecting and utilization strategies and (viii) system engineering approaches for crewed missions. 

Operational programs such as Artemis, the Chinese lunar exploration program, Chang’e landers and sample return missions and planned deployments of seismometers and other geophysical packages provide a framework to validate models and technologies. International initiatives using CubeSats and small spacecraft—targeting impact flash monitoring, illumination mapping and volatile detection—expand observational capabilities beyond traditional orbital platforms. The integration of scientific objectives with mission operations, supported by simulation, digital elevation modeling and onboard autonomy, is essential to enable sustained activity at the lunar surface. 

The Special Issue welcomes contributions that link scientific analyses with engineering solutions for lunar exploration, including theoretical models, laboratory experiments, numerical simulations, mission concepts and results from ongoing missions. The aim is to consolidate current knowledge and provide a technical foundation for future work toward long-term lunar presence.

Dr. Eloy Peña-Asensio
Dr. Anna Mittelholz
Dr. Wajiha Iqbal
Dr. Ariel N. Deutsch
Guest Editors

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• landing site selection
• lunar surface operation
• in situ resource utilization
• lunar seismology
• impact processes
• terrain and illumination modeling
• sample return missions
• volatiles