The LEAP2 international consortium makes the case for Marius Hills to be a high-priority landing site due to its scientific value, habitability value, and economic value.
Scientific Value
- Geologic processes of ancient lunar basaltic lava flows
- Mapping distribution & age of bedrock at the surface
- Composition & mineralogy of domains in the Moon’s mantle
Habitability Value
- Large cave volumes with thick roofs
- Radiation protection
- Micro-meteorite protection
- Benign temperature environment
- Lunar dust protection
- Use of light-weight construction materials
Economic Value
- Mining
- Industrial
- Settlement/Tourism
The LEAP2 international consortium funds its technology research through individual member’s Internal Research and Development (IRAD) budgets. Additionally, collaborative proposals for funding joint technology development are submitted to government agencies of respective member host countries and to other commercial opportunities that may arise. Consortium members also jointly co-author research papers for publication in peer-reviewed journals, conference presentations and symposia. Topics range from elements of lunar data analysis, instrument/payload concepts, science justification for robotic missions, and thematic geologic reconnaissance and remote sensing that should be conducted prior to any construction or emplacement of infrastructure. Consortium membership is Ad Hoc and open to any organization with relevant technology wishing to collaborate.
Recent Publications
Leto Mission Concept for Green Reconnaissance of the Marius Hills Lunar Pit
Ximenes, S.W., A. Shaffer, D.M. Hooper, R. Wells, “Leto Mission Concept for Green Reconnaissance of the Marius Hills Lunar Pit”, 52nd Lunar and Planetary Science Conference 2021, The Woodlands, Texas, Abstract #2640. March 2021; Concept video at https://youtu.be/Zu-lfOQ5Nbw.
Lunar Caves Analog Test Sites for Space-Stem Engagement
Ximenes, S.W., D.M. Hooper, A. Palat, L. Cantwell, M. Appleford, J. Webb, R. Wells, E.L. Patrick, M. Necsoiu, “Lunar Caves Analog Test Sites for Space-Stem Engagement”, 3rd International Planetary Caves Conference (LPI Contrib. No. 2197), Abstract #1035, San Antonio, TX, at Southwest Research Institute, February 18–21, 2020.
Calculating the Rate of Deposition of Micro Dust Particles Using a Quartz Crystal Microbalance
Palat, A., S. W. Ximenes, D. M. Hooper, E. L. Patrick, R. Battaglia, M.Mauro, H. Shin, T. Chung, “Calculating the Rate of Deposition of Micro Dust Particles Using a Quartz Crystal Microbalance”, 51st Lunar and Planetary Science Conference, The Woodlands, Texas, Abstract #2165. March 2020.
Introduction of LCATS-1, A Geotechnical Lunar Regolith Simulant for Multi-Purpose Utilization
Hooper, D.M., S.W. Ximenes, R. Wells, M. Necsoiu, E.L. Patrick, “Introduction of LCATS-1, A Geotechnical Lunar Regolith Simulant for Multi-Purpose Utilization”, 51st Lunar and Planetary Science Conference, The Woodlands, Texas, Abstract #2548. March 2020.
From Dust to Gas, LEAP2 Technologies for Lunar Site Development at the Marius Hills Skylight
Ximenes, S.W. “From Dust to Gas, LEAP2 Technologies for Lunar Site Development at the Marius Hills Skylight”, International Astronautical Federation (IAF) 70th International Astronautical Congress (IAC), Washington, D.C., Paper ID #55016, 21-25 Oct 2019. See Interactive Poster here.
HexHab 3D Construction-printed Planetary Habitat for Extreme Environments
Ximenes, S.W., Bienhoff D., Baycan S., Rao P., Sankaran S., Bianco S., Taylor Z., Shaffer A. “HexHab 3D Construction-printed Planetary Habitat for Extreme Environments”, International Astronautical Federation (IAF) 70th International Astronautical Congress (IAC), Washington, D.C., Paper ID #52989, 21-25 Oct 2019.
LEAP2 and LCATS Industry Clusters: A Framework for Lunar Site Technology Development Using Global Space-STEM Education and Global Space-Industry Development Networks
Ximenes, S.W., Roberts, S., Foing, B., Lee, T.S., Shin, H., Duerte, C., “LEAP2 and LCATS Industry Clusters: A Framework for Lunar Site Technology Development Using Global Space-STEM Education and Global Space-Industry Development Networks”, Acta Astronautica, Volume 157, April 2019, Pages 61-72, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actaastro.2018.08.006.
What Lies Beneath: Pursuing the Virtual Surface Binding the Lunar Exosphere
Necsoiu, M., E. Patrick, D. Hooper, S. Ximenes, “What Lies Beneath: Pursuing the Virtual Surface Binding the Lunar Exosphere”, 49th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference 2018 (LPI Contrib. No. 2083), The Woodlands, TX, March 19-23, 2018.
Rationale for In-Situ Exploration of the Marius Hills Pit
Dorrington, G.E., C. Brown, G. Pignolet, D.M. Hooper, S.W. Ximenes, E.L. Patrick, M. Necsoiu, “Rationale for In-Situ Exploration of the Marius Hills Pit”, SSERVI Identifier: LLW2018-66, Lunar Science for Landed Missions Workshop, NASA Ames Research Center, January 10-12, 2018.
Dome Pressurization and Regolith Porosity
Patrick, E.L., S.W. Ximenes, D.M. Hooper, and M. Necsoiu, “Dome Pressurization and Regolith Porosity”; 14th ASCE International Conference on Engineering, Science, Construction, and Operations in Challenging Environments, “Engineering for Extreme Environments”, St. Louis, MO, Oct. 27-29, 2014.
Lunar Reconnaissance and Site Characterization at the Marius Hills Skylight
Hooper, D.M., S.W. Ximenes, M. Necsoiu, and E.L. Patrick, “Lunar Reconnaissance and Site Characterization at the Marius Hills Skylight”, Workshop on Golden Spike Human Lunar Expeditions: Opportunities for Intensive Lunar Scientific Exploration, Proceedings of the conference held 3-4 October, 2013 in Houston, TX, , 2013.
LEAP2: Lunar Ecosystem and Architectural Prototype at the Marius Hills Skylight
Ximenes, S.W. and E.L. Patrick, “LEAP2: Lunar Ecosystem and Architectural Prototype at the Marius Hills Skylight”. Workshop on Golden Spike Human Lunar Expeditions: Opportunities for Intensive Lunar Scientific Exploration, Proceedings of the conference held 3-4 October, 2013 in Houston, TX, Abstract #6015, 2013.
Defining a Mission Architecture and Technologies for Lunar Lava Tube Reconnaissance
Ximenes S. W., J.O. Elliott, and O. Bannova, “Defining a Mission Architecture and Technologies for Lunar Lava Tube Reconnaissance”; 13th ASCE Aerospace Division Conference on Engineering, Construction, and Operations in Challenging Environments, “Engineering for Extreme Environments”, Pasadena, CA; April 15 -18, 2012.
Risk Assessment Visualization Study for Lunar Outpost Landing Zone Surface Preparation
Ximenes, S.W., “Risk Assessment Visualization Study for Lunar Outpost Landing Zone Surface Preparation”, Earth & Space 2010 Conference – The 12th ASCE Aerospace Division Biennial International Conference on Engineering, Science, Construction and Operations in Challenging Environment, Honolulu, HI; March 14-17, 2010.
LEAP2 uses a notional timeline for a phased approach to scientific research investigations and technology development for the site. This phased approach framework allows investigators to focus on long lead technology items for development, (e.g. large area dome pressurization and construction, or civil engineering for lava tube infrastructure); or apply resources for immediate or short-term technology applications for mission development, e.g., investigations for scientific instrumentation and measurement, or robotic reconnaissance missions. LEAP2 consortium research investigations and insertion of technology development can be for any phase of our notional timeline.
