U.S. Heritage Lunar Sites & Preserve
The U.S. Heritage Lunar Sites & Preserve will offer a truly unique camping experience in one of the harshest climates in the solar system. Efforts are also underway to establish the 6 (Apollo) lunar landing sites as historic preserves in order to protect and preserve them for future space tourists to enjoy.
Welcome / Introduction (1:00)
Moon Camp Area 11 (Decent / Aerial)
Moon Camp Area 12 (Alan Bean/ALSEP Cable)
Moon Camp Area 15 (Module & Rover)
Fun Fact
Only 12 humans (the crews of Apollo 11, 12, 14, 15, 16 and 17) have ever walked on the moon's surface. No one (person) has been back since 1972.
Overview
Mare Vaporum (Sea of Vapors)
The U.S. Heritage Lunar Sites &Preserve will offer a truly unique camping experience in one of the harshest climates in the solar system. Efforts are also underway to establish the 6 (Apollo) lunar landing sites as historic preserves in order to protect and preserve them for future space tourists to enjoy.
The Preserve has 6 planned primitive campsites, with one located near each of the lunar landing sites. In addition, one group campsite will be available in the natural tunnels (lava tubes) located beneath the Marius Hills.
Lunar-campers and space tourists will first arrive at the moon-port located in Mare Vaporum (the Sea of Vapors). Upon arrival, lunar-campers will be transported to the visitor center at Crater Manilius for camper registration and orientation. Visitors can stay a maximum of 120 (Earth) hours on the lunar surface before returning the 384,401 kilometers to Earth. This includes 48 hours at the visitor center and 72 hours at a camping area.
Visitors will also be fitted and assigned an Exploration Extravehicular Mobility Unit (xEMU) suit. The xEMU suit is designed to protect campers from radiation, dust, debris and extreme temperatures during their moonwalks and lunar activities. It includes a pressure garment and life support system that provides oxygen and pressurizes the suit. A two-way radio for communication is also included in a cap under the helmet that contains earphones and microphones. A cooling garment, gloves and boots are also included.
Manilius Visitor Center
When completed, the park's visitor center will be centrally located on the near side of the moon in Crater Manilius, which is on the northeast edge of Mare Vaporum. It is situated within the central peak formation near the midpoint. Most of the visitor center will be constructed within the peak because the moon has very little protective atmosphere or magnetic field. The moon's surface and regolith offer sufficient protection to the visitor center from charged particles of radiation and tiny meteorites.
Short term (24-hour) lodging accommodates are available for all campers upon arrival and prior to departure. The visitor center also offers cafeteria-style eating, a museum, gift shop, observation lounge and restrooms. A small hospital and health clinic are also adjacent to the visitor center.
Manilius Crater (Location of Visitor Center)
Campsites & Camping Information
Lunar campsite reservation applications will be available through a lottery (TBD – please check back for lottery dates). Those selected will be required to pass a physical and mental evaluation before a reservation is confirmed. Actual camping dates will be 18 to 24 months in the future. Cancelled reservations will become available (first-come, first-serve) at 7:00 AM (PST) on November 11. Lunar-campers must arrange for their transportation to/from the moon.
Each of the 6 lunar camping areas have one primitive single-family campsite located near each of the 6 Apollo lunar landing sites. Lunar-campers will be tracked within the geofence of each camping area and must maintain a distance of at least 30 meters from the lunar landing site. Up to 4 people are allowed per (single-family) campsite. The Marius Hills (Oceanus Procellarum) group camping area can accommodate up to 12 people.
After a night at the visitor center, lunar-campers will be transported via lunar shuttle from the Manilius Visitor Center to their campsite and Lunar Universal Recreational Biosphere (LURB). Each LURB consists of an inflatable living area that has been covered with regolith bricks bound together by fungi. The LURB is air-tight with an atmospheric environment similar to Earth. Amenities include beds (2 bunk beds) &linens, a chemical toilet, lighting, chairs and a fully-stocked kitchenette. Water and food are also provided. All food is grown in a closed ecosystem and includes mealworms, as well as a variety of vegetables/crops rich in vitamins C1, K and potassium. Some fruits are also available. Water comes from ice in permanently shaded craters and from the polar regions. Please conserve and limit your water use.
Camping Areas
Campsite 11
Mare Tranquillitatis (Sea of Tranquility)
Apollo 11
Lunar Landing Time 4:17:40 p.m. EDT, July 20, 1969
Landing Site Coordinates
0.67408° N Latitude, 23.47297° E Longitude
Camping Area Lunar Coordinates
0°41'04.41" N Latitude, 23°27'39.10" E Longitude
On July 16, 1969 Apollo11 launched on a Saturn V rocket from Cape Canaveral. The crew consisted of Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins and Buzz Aldrin. Four days later (July 20), humans walked on the moon for the first time.
For the first lunar landing, Mare Tranquillitatis was the site chosen because it is a relatively smooth and level area. It is 41.5 km north-northeast of the western promontory of the Kant Plateau, which is the nearest highland region. The area has a high density of craters, as well as fragmental debris ranging in size from fine particles to blocks about 0.8 meter wide.
The Surveyor 5 spacecraft is approximately 25 km north-northwest of the Apollo 11 landing site, and the impact crater formed by Ranger 8 is 69 km northeast of the landing site.
Campsite 12
Oceanus Procellarum (Ocean of Storms)
Apollo 12
Lunar Landing Time 01:54:35 a.m. EST, November 19, 1969
Landing Site Coordinates
3.01239° S Latitude, 23.42157° W Longitude
Camping Area Lunar Coordinates
3°00'53.15” S Latitude, 23°27'17.62” W Longitude
Apollo 12 was the sixth crewed flight in the United States Apollo program and the second to land on the Moon. It was launched on November 14, 1969, from the Kennedy Space Center, Florida, four months after Apollo 11. The Lunar Module, nicknamed Intrepid and flown by Charles "Pete" Conrad and Alan Bean, made a pinpoint landing just 160 meters (520 feet) from the Surveyor 3 probe that had landed two and a half years earlier.
Intrepid landed in the Ocean of Storms at 3 degrees, 11 hours, 51 minutes south, and 23 degrees, 23 minutes, and 7.5 seconds west. Landing was about 120 feet northeast of Head Crater, and about 535 feet northwest from where Surveyor 3 stood in its crater. Apollo 12 touched down approximately 950 miles west of where Apollo 11 had landed.
Campsite 14
Fra Mauro
Apollo 14
Lunar Landing Time 4:18 a.m. EST, February 5, 1971
Landing Site Coordinates
3.64530° S Latitude, 17.47136° W Longitude
Camping Area Lunar Coordinates
3°37'41.50” S Latitude, 17°29'15.45” E Longitude
The landing site is in a broad, shallow valley between radial ridges of the Fra Mauro Formation and approximately 500 kilometers from the edge of the Imbrium Basin. The major crater Copernicus lies 360 kilometers to the north, and bright ray material that emanates from Copernicus Crater covers much of the landing site region. The young and very blocky Cone Crater is in the immediate landing area. The crater is approximately 340 meters in diameter and penetrates the regolith on the ridge to the east of the landing site.
Prior to the abort of Apollo 13, Apollo 14 was targeted to land in the Littrow region of Mare Serenitatis, where the objective was to study young, pyroclastic volcanic deposits. Following the Apollo 13 abort, it was decided to retarget Apollo 14 to the Fra Mauro site, which was regarded as scientifically more important than the Littrow site.
Campsite 15
Hadley-Apenninus
Apollo 15
Lunar Landing Time 6:16 p.m. EDT, July 30, 1971
Landing Site Coordinates
26.13222° N Latitude, 3.63386° E Longitude
Camping Area Lunar Coordinates
26°15'56.73” N Latitude, 3°29'57.85” E Longitude
Apollo 15 was the fourth crewed mission to land on the Moon. The crew consisted of David Scott, Alfred Worden and James Irwin. It was the first of the “J” missions, which allowed for more time on the surface to do science experiments. It was also the first to use the Lunar Roving Vehicle.
Apollo 15's landing site is on the relatively smooth Hadley Delta, a smooth plain of basaltic lava east of Hadley Rille (the sinuous channel-like depression). To the east of Hadley Delta are the lunar Montes Apennines, an arc of rugged massifs that forms the rim of the Imbrium impact basin.
The landing site / camping area is on the eastern edge of Mare Imbrium of the Imbrium Basin. The area includes a dark mare plain call Palus Putredinis (the Marsh of Decay). Aristillus and Autolycus Craters, north of the landing site, have numerous bright rays associated with them, and some of these rays cross the landing site.
The landing site was selected so that, with the aid of the lunar roving vehicle, astronauts Dave Scott and Jim Irwin could examine the Apennine Front at Hadley Delta, the eastern rim of Hadley Rille, and two prominent groups of craters on the mare surface.
Campsite 16
Descartes
Apollo 16
Lunar Landing Time 9:24 p.m. EST, April 20, 1972
Landing Site Coordinates
8.97301° S Latitude, 15.49812° E Longitude
Camping Area Lunar Coordinates
9°06'39.16” S Latitude, 15°36'56.26” E Longitude
Apollo was the fifth crewed mission to land on the Moon and it was also the 2nd “J” mission, with an extended stay on the surface. It also used a Lunar Roving Vehicle to explore and collect science experiments.
The Landing Module (LM) landed in a subdued old crater, approximately 75 meters in diameter. The area is saturated with these old craters so that the few young sharp-rimmed craters provide a notable contrast to the pervasiveness of the old craters.
There are also a few 1 to 2-meter craters nearby with glass-coated bottoms. This glass is cracked and wrinkled so that it looks like dried mud.
Campsite 17
Fra Mauro
Apollo 17
Lunar Landing Time 19:54:57 GMT, December 11, 1972
Landing Site Coordinates
20.1911° N Latitude, 30.7723° E Longitude
Camping Area Lunar Coordinates
20°17'06.40” N Latitude, 30°42'13.30” E Longitude
Apollo 17 was the final mission of NASA's Apollo program with a crew of Commander Eugen Cernan, Lunar Module Pilot Harrison Schmitt, and Command Module Pilot Ronald Evans. The Landing site is in the Taurus-Littrow Valley on the eastern rim of Mare Serenitatis. Several 100-meter-sized craters are in the vicinity.
The valley is bounded on three sides by large mountains that compose a portion of the rim of the Serenitatis Basin; the three most prominent mountains around the landing site are South Massif, North Massif, and East Massif. Closely spaced domical hills, smaller in size than the massifs, compose the northeastern edge of the valley.
A prominent topographic feature on the Taurus-Littrow valley floor is the Lincoln Scarp (which merges with the Lee Scarp near South Massif). The Lincoln Scarp crosses both the valley floor and the surrounding highland material in North Massif.
Marius Hills Group Camping
Camping Area Lunar Coordinates
9°17'12.29” N Latitude, 55°51'43.72” W Longitude
The group camping area is in a sub-moonean cavern accessed by ancient tunnels (lava tubes) beneath the Marius Hills. The area is the largest concentration of volcanic features on the moon and is located in the southwest Oceanus Procellarum and west of Marius crater.
The entrance was originally discovered (imaged) by Japan's Moon-orbiting SELENE spacecraft in 2009.
Subsequent observations by NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) indicated that the Marius Hills Hole (MHH) extends down nearly 200 meters and is several hundred meters wide. Ground penetrating radar data from SELENE found extensive lava tubes extending down a few kilometers and may actually be large enough to house a small Moon colony.
The group camping area is located about ½ kilometer from the entrance and in a sealed lava tube. The tube offers shelter from the large temperature swings, micro-meteor impacts, and harmful solar radiation on the surface.
Up to 12 campers can stay at the group camping area. Amenities include beds & linens, chemical toilets, lighting, chairs and a fully-stocked kitchenette. Water and food are also provided.
Space Tourism Companies (Future Earth-Moon Transportation)
The following is a partial list of companies providing space travel and/or training. They are not associated with CampsitePhotos.com.
World View (Training / Near Space Tours)
World View Enterprises offers near-space tours via a high-altitude balloon attached to an 8-person stratospheric capsule.
The ship will reach an altitude of approximately 19 miles. Passengers will be able to view the earth and see its curve, but won't be able to experience weightlessness. Flights range from 6 to 12 hours and currently depart from the following locations:
- Amazonia, Brazil
- Aurora Borealis, Norway
- Giza Pyramids, Egypt
- Grand Canyon, USA
- Great Barrier Reef, Australia
- Great Wall of China, Mongolia
- Serengeti, Kenya
Visit Worldview.space for more information and to make a reservation.
Virgin Galactic Spaceport America
Virgin Galactic is “the world's first commercial space line,” and its purpose is to connect people across the globe to the love, wonder and awe created by space travel. The company currently offers a 90-minute journey with the spaceship attached to a mothership. The spaceship is then released at a designated near-space altitude (50,000 feet). Once released the rocket motor will continue at 3.5x the speed of sound toward the stars. After about 1 minute, the rocket will shut down signaling your arrival in space where passengers will experience micro-gravity and spectacular views of the earth and heavens before returning to Earth. Visit VirginGalactic.com for more information and to make a reservation.
SpaceX
SpaceX's Starship spacecraft and Super Heavy Rocket represent a fully reusable transportation system designed to carry both crew and cargo to Earth orbit, the Moon, Mars and beyond. Starship will be the world's most powerful launch vehicle ever developed.
SpaceX offers commercial flights to both Earth and Lunar orbit, with plans to eventually take people to the Lunar surface. Passengers are asked to contact sales@spacex.com to start planning your journey. Visit spacex.com/human-spaceflight for more information.
Blue Origin
Blue Origin is an aerospace manufacturer and sub-orbital spaceflight services company headquartered in Kent, Washington. Its primary launch site is located in West Texas. The company is currently working with other partners to develop “Orbital Reef”, a premier mixed-used space station in low Earth orbit. Opportunities to fly abord the New Shepard into sub-orbit area available. Visit blueorigin.com/new-shepard/reserve-a-seat to make a reservation.
Fun Facts
- Only 12 humans (the crews of Apollo 11, 12, 14, 15, 16 and 17) have ever walked on the moon's surface. No one (person) has been back since 1972.
- The approximate age of the moon is 4.51 billion (Earth) years and it is about 2,159 miles (3,475 km) in diameter (less than a third the width of our home planet).
- One Lunar day is equal to 29.5 Earth days. Daytime on one side of the moon lasts about 13 and a half days, followed by 13 and a half nights of darkness.
- When sunlight hits the moon's surface, the temperature can reach 260 degrees Fahrenheit (127 degrees Celsius). When the sun goes down, temperatures can dip to minus 280 F (minus 173 C).
- The average distance from the Earth to the Moon is 238,855 miles (384,400 km).
- Because the moon's gravity is only one-sixth that of the Earth's gravity, Apollo astronauts had to tread carefully or else risk stumbling or falling. They ultimately perfected a bouncing gait and bunny hops to walk along the lunar surface.
- One of the best places to set up a moon base turns may be the lunar south pole, which has an enormous reserve of water ice and a relatively stable surface temperature around 32 degrees Fahrenheit (0 Celsius).
- Because it lacks an atmosphere, the moon undergoes tremendous daily swings in surface temperature, from a daytime average of 253 degrees F (123 C) to minus 387 F (minus 233 C) at night.
- The Apollo 13 mission was to explore the Fra Mauro formation, or Fra Mauro highlands, named after the 80- kilometer-diameter Fra Mauro crater located within it. It is a widespread, hilly selenological area thought to be composed of ejecta from the impact that formed Mare Imbrium. The next Apollo mission, Apollo 14, eventually made a successful flight to Fra Mauro.
- Objects of any weight fall at the same speed. Astronaut David Scott demonstrated this by dropping a feather and a rock hammer (1000x heavier than the feather) at the same time and each hit the ground simultaneously.
- Alan Shepard hit two golf balls with a six-iron attached to the handle of a soil-sampling tool.
Space Weather
:Product: Weekly Highlights and Forecasts :Issued: 2024 May 20 0143 UTC # Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center # Product description and SWPC contact on the Web # https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/content/subscription-services # # Weekly Highlights and Forecasts # Highlights of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity 13 - 19 May 2024 Solar activity ranged from low to high levels during the period. High levels were reached 13-15 May; moderate levels 16-17 May; and low levels on 18 May. Levels returned to moderate by 19 May. There were at least 15 M-class flares and 5 X-class flares during the reporting week - sub-peaks and re-enhancements made firm correlations difficult. Region 3664 (S17, L=347, Fkc/BGD on 11 May) was the primary X-class flare producer and erupted with the largest solar flare thus far in solar cycle 25, an X8.7 at 14/1651 UTC as it reached the western limb. Nineteen sunspot groups littered the solar disk, with Region 3664 rotating beyond the limb 14 May. Even though Region 3664 rotated beyond the limb, it continued producing M and X-class flares on 15 May, to include an X3.4 flare at 15/0818 UTC. Another active region just beyond the east limb was the source of an X2.9 flare on 15/1438 UTC. This region rotated into view on 16 May and was designated as Region 3685 (S13 L=152, Ehi/BG on 16 May. Radio activity was aplenty during the week - main highlights include Region 3664 eruption of solar radio bursts on 14 May that included Castelli U signature bursts twice, once with an X1.7 flare at 14/0209 UTC and again with the X8.7 flare. The first radio burst was the more massive, with a peak frequency flux centered on 245 MHz of 63,000 sfu. Tenflares were also observed, as well as Type II and IV radio sweeps with each of these events. Radio activity of note continued on 15 May with early activity still from well beyond the limb Region 3664, however, later on 15 May, the source region shifted to the east limb, with Type II and IV sweeps associated with the X2.9 flare from soon to be assigned Region 3685. Many CMEs were noted through the week, most were sourced to Region 3664 and were determined to be misses ahead of Earth. However, even though an asymmetric halo CME on 13 May from Region 3664 was analyzed and modeled as mainly a miss, possible shock arrival and glancing or near-proximity influences were possible on 14-15 May due to its fast speed. Additionally, on 14 May, a filament eruption centered over the far northeastern solar disk was modeled and a glancing blow was suggested by 17 May. Yet another filament eruption occurred from a source location in the northwest quadrant on 16 May. This associated CME analysis and model results suggested a glancing blow possible on 20 May. A proton event was observed at geosynchronous orbit. The event began on 13 May as the greater than 10 MeV levels reached 10 pfu at 13/1400 UTC and breached 100 pfu by 14/0335 UTC. These events were most likely associated with flare and CME activity from region 3664. Peak flux reached was 121 pfu on 14/0505 UTC and decreased below 10 pfu at 16/1455 UTC. The greater than 2 MeV electron flux reached 1,000 pfu on 15/1525 UTC with a peak flux of 1,500 pfu at 15/1840 UTC and returned to normal levels on 16 May. Geomagnetic field activity ranged from quiet to G2 (Moderate) storm levels. 13 May began with G2 levels in response to continued CME influences as solar wind speeds were still highly elevated and near 850 km/s with total IMF strength between 5-10 nT and favorable periods of southward Bz component. Solar wind speed slowly declined and eventually reached near 450 km/s on 15 May, while the total IMF strength weakened and returned to more ambient levels. This led to a period of mainly quiet to unsettled levels 14-15 May. Another enhancement in the solar wind field occurred on 16 May due to CME effects (likely from one of Region's 3664 CMEs of 13 May) as total field intensified to 17 nT, while the Bz component shifted southward - this led to G1 (Minor) to G2 storm levels. Yet another CME arrival disturbed and enhanced the IMF again, with a favorable southward connection on 17 May that led to G1-G2 storm levels again. The origin of this CME is somewhat in doubt, but the most likely candidate is one of the CMEs from Region 3664 on 14 May. The solar wind field gradually returned to a less disturbed and more ambient, background state on 18 May with quiet to active levels noted and quiet to unsettled conditions on 19 May. Forecast of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity 20 May - 15 June 2024 Solar activity is likely to be moderate (R1-R2; Minor-Moderate), with a slight chance for high levels (R3; Strong) through 21 May as Region 3685 (S13 L=155, Ehi/BG as of 18 May) continues to produce low-level M-class flares (R1). The region will take some time to rotate to the western limb - rotating beyond the limb by 30 May. Meanwhile eight other regions will rotate beyond the limb beginning 21 May through 26 May. A good number of former spot regions are timed to rotate back into Earth-view through much of the outlook period - the most anticipated is former Region 3664 (S17, L=347, Fkc/BGD on 11 May) that is expected to return by 26-27 May. The litany of returning regions, to include 3664, could lead to increasing solar activity levels back to moderate to high levels as early as 26 May. There will be a slight chance of S1 (Minor) solar radiation storms through 30 May until Region 3685 rotates beyond the western limb. If Region 3664 survives to its return to the visible solar disk 26-27 May, there is a possibility of an increase to a chance of an S1 storm by 7-15 June. The greater than 2 MeV electron flux is likely to be normal to moderate with a chance for high levels 20 May - 15 Jun. Geomagnetic activity is anticipated to be at quiet to active conditions, with likely G1 (Minor) storm levels 20 May due to CME effects. Conditions are expected to wane on 21 May and primarily quiet to active levels are expected. A period of quiet conditions follows 22-23 May, with CH HSS effects leading back to active levels 24-25 May. The remainder of the period is anticipated to be primarily a mix of quiet to active conditions in varying response to occasional recurrent CH HSS effects.
References
- United Nations Moon Agreement (1979) – PDF
- United Nations Outer Space Treaty (1967 / 2002) – PDF
- NASA's Recommendations to Space-Faring Entities (2011) – PDF
- hq.nasa.gov/alsj/a14/images14.html
- images.nasa.gov
- nasa.gov/mission_pages/apollo/40th/a11_audio_db.html
- nasa.gov/mission_pages/apollo/40th/a11_audio_highlights.html
- spacegrant.nmsu.edu/lunarlegacies/artifactlist.html
- iop.org/explore-physics/moon/how-could-we-live-on-the-moon
- nature.com/articles/d41586-018-07107-4
- nasa.gov/feature/spacewalk-spacesuit-basics
- weather.gov/phi/spacewx
- swpc.noaa.gov
- swpc.noaa.gov/communities/space-weather-enthusiasts
- nasa.gov/mission_pages/apollo/revisited/index.html
- unoosa.org
- lroc.asu.edu
- apollo.sese.asu.edu
