ISECG Lunar Surface Exploration Scenario Updates Since 2024 GER

The International Space Exploration Coordination Group (ISECG) is a voluntary, non-binding coordination forum of 28 space agencies and government organisations as of today with the common aim of advancing space exploration through exchanging information, objectives, and plans, according to the shared vision in the Global Exploration Strategy. Since 2007, ISECG members have met to share information about their space exploration plans, objectives, and interests to strengthen their individual exploration programmes and collective exploration efforts. ISECG participating agencies coordinate to develop consensus-based, non-binding products.
The ISECG’s flagship product, the Global Exploration Roadmap (GER), reflects a coordinated vision for long-term human and robotic exploration of the solar system, with the most recent edition released in 2024 (2024 GER). The 2024 GER articulates a common vision for space exploration through 2050, focusing on the priorities of participating ISECG agencies, with an emphasis on sustained exploration: missions that progressively develop more capabilities and enable more scientific investigations. It begins with foundational activities in low Earth orbit, covers intensifying exploration activities—both human and robotic—on and around the Moon, and discusses preparation for initial human exploration of Mars. The 2024 GER presented an update to the overall exploration mission scenario and ISECG participating agencies’ national exploration architectures and summarises upcoming and planned missions, including a Lunar Surface Exploration Scenario that captures the capabilities that these agencies are developing to explore the lunar surface.
Since the release of the 2024 GER, trade studies have been conducted across the ISECG community, mainly led by the International Architecture Working Group (IAWG), to advance the Lunar Surface Exploration Scenario. These trade studies focus on two key areas: the power architecture and the communications, positioning, navigation and timing (CPNT) architecture. For the power architecture, analysis focused on developing into the challenging South Pole environment and understanding of how different technologies can support various aspects of exploration. For the CPNT architecture, analysis examined potential asset locations to identify benefits and challenges.
This paper discusses these analyses in detail and provides relevant findings. It offers an update to and additional technical detail about some of the key capabilities identified in the 2024 GER’s scenario. It does not represent system development work by any individual agency; rather, it offers an analysis of notional capabilities that are common across lunar exploration architectures and the ability of various systems and services to meet associated needs.
ISECG and its products, such as the GER, enable the international communication and cooperation that lead to inspiring accomplishments in space exploration for the benefit of all humanity.