Endurance Mission Progress

This paper will provide an update on the latest developments for the Endurance lunar rover mission pre-project. The proposed Endurance mission could accomplish science that fundamentally alters our understanding of our solar system while addressing long standing priority science questions. The concept uses a long-range rover to explore, traverse, and collect samples from across the far-side of the Moon. Endurance is effectively a sample return campaign in one mission and would collect 12 unique sets of samples under the current baseline plan. The mission concept was highly recommended to NASA last year by the National Academy’s Planetary Science and Astrobiology Decadal Survey (2023–2032). Since that time, the pre-project team has been doing studies including mission architecture trades, technology development and risk reduction. At the request of NASA, the team also did an analysis of alternatives (AoA). NASA has also formally announced a Science Definition Team (SDT) will be formed to create the mission science and measurement requirements for the proposed mission. A trade study was also done to look at solar versus radioisotope power. Last, due to the long-distance traverse needed for this mission, the concept uses autonomous off-road driving technology. Recently, the autonomous driving technology needed for this mission was demonstrated in lunar day, dusk and night-time conditions at rates that exceed the mission requirement. The concept includes a long- distance lunar rover that is planned to drive nearly 2,000 km across the far-side South Pole–Aitken (SPA) basin, which could be launched as soon as 2030. The large sample collection of up to 100 kg would then be delivered to Artemis astronauts at the lunar south pole basecamp for return to Earth. The 12 sample sets would be used to address long-standing, priority science questions about the dynamics of the early solar system, giant impacts, the nature of the lunar mantle, and the thermochemical evolution of rocky worlds. A lunar SPA sample return mission has been recommended for the past three planetary science Decadal Surveys as a medium-sized (New Frontiers-class) mission. Previous studies looked at collecting a kilogram of sample material from one site using a stationary platform. The Endurance lunar rover is a medium-sized mission that could traverse across geologically diverse terrain making for robust sample analysis and more definitive science conclusions. To keep costs low, the concept may use a Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) to deliver the approximately 600 kg rover to the center of SPA, leverages other lunar and mars mobility developments, and engages astronauts for the sample return. The Endurance sample return mission would be a valuable part of the Artemis program by providing long-term sustainable lunar exploration in the cost range of a medium-class mission. The mission would use commercial partners to access the US industrial base while leveraging unique technology capabilities used for other planetary rovers. Working jointly with humans on the Moon, this mission would accomplish science that could fundamentally alter our understanding of our solar system history while addressing long standing priority planetary science questions.