NASA prepares for moon science

WASHINGTON, June 21 (UPI) -- U.S. scientists have selected seven proposals for future lunar science activities and established two new space research programs.

The proposals and programs are part of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's planned renewal of human exploration of the moon.

The space agency chose seven proposals from more than 70 plans submitted during the Lunar Sortie Science Opportunities Program. The proposals are designed to result in advanced development for simple, autonomous instrument packages deployed on the lunar surface by astronauts. Such "suitcase science" packages could open a wide variety of research applications regarding the moon and the lunar environment, NASA said.

"The proposals we received show that the scientific community is excited about the opportunity to capitalize on the nation's planned lunar outpost," said Alan Stern, NASA's Science Mission Directorate associate administrator. "The moon has much to teach us about itself, the history of our solar system and even the history of the sun."

NASA, later this year, will select researchers to perform detailed investigations using instruments aboard the lunar reconnaissance orbiter during its first years in lunar orbit.