Chair
Ian Crawford (UK) (2026 – 2030)
Vice-Chairs
Nicole Schmitz (Germany) (2026 – 2030)
Intercommission/Panel/Task Group Liaisons
- Bernard Foing (The Netherlands) (2026 – 2030)
- Niklas Hedman (Austria) (2026 – 2030)
- Harry Hiesinger (Germany) (2026 – 2030)
Members
- Dan Bodansky (US) (2026 – 2030)
- Jessica Flahaut (France) (2026 – 2030)
- Richard Green (USA) (2026 – 2030)
- Yang Liu (China) (2026 – 2030)
- Shyama Narendranath (India) (2026 – 2030)
- Clive Neil (USA) (2026 – 2030)
- Parvathy Prem (US) (2026 – 2030)
- Jean-Pierre de Vera (Germany) (2026 – 2030)
Terms of Reference
COSPAR Task Group Lunar Sites of Special Scientific Interest (TGSSSI)
Background
The Moon is a valuable and essential target for planetary science, as it provides a unique window into the origins of the Solar System and the Earth–Moon system. The lunar geological record preserves key evidence of the earliest history of the Solar System and the geological evolution of rocky planets. In addition, lunar polar ices provide a natural laboratory for studying the synthesis of organic molecules, offering important clues to the origin and evolution of life. Polar volatile deposits in cold traps may also provide a record of Solar System volatiles from numerous sources over an extended period of time and will be a valuable resource to enable sustained human presence on the Moon.
The lunar surface offers outstanding opportunities for research in astronomy, astrobiology, heliophysics, space weather, fundamental physics and life sciences. Accessing this rich scientific resource is one of the principal reasons driving lunar exploration which requires both, robotic and human investigations. There are also lunar cultural heritage perspectives involved.
In addition to its scientific importance, the Moon is also a testbed for Mars exploration and the focus of exploration and commercial enterprise seeking to extract potentially valuable natural resources, either for in-situ resource utilization or for economical use. Certain areas of the Moon are of greater scientific or economic importance and therefore attract heightened interest from multiple stakeholders, such as Permanently Shadowed Regions (PSRs), the far side of the Moon, and unique geological formations such as lava tubes, underscoring the need for effective management of these areas by ensuring their preservation for present and future scientific investigations while enabling responsible commercial use. In addition, the sustainability of the cis-lunar region becomes increasingly important due to debris generated by fragmentation events that may migrate to the lunar surface and near-Earth space, threatening critical assets.
The Management of Lunar Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) initiative
As stated above, dedicated processes are required to preserve scientific investigation of the Moon, especially in unexplored areas and sites of special scientific interest, and therefore COSPAR, IAU, IAA, and MVA-GEGSLA have advanced the concept of lunar “Sites of Special Scientific Interest” (SSSI), to define, identify, and prioritize such sites and presented Conference Room Papers A/AC.105/C.1/2025/CRP.18 and A/AC.105/2025/CRP.23 to the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) and its Scientific and Technical Subcommittee (STSC).
Three classes of SSSI were identified:
- Permanently Shadowed Regions – PSRs;
- Sites that are uniquely suitable locations for astronomy (e.g. the radio-quiet far side of the Moon and some PSRs);
- Unique scientifically significant features (e.g. lava tubes).
As one example, a PSR near a lunar pole may be of interest to multiple constituencies. In principle, competing interests could be addressed by allocating different PSRs to different activities. The central governance challenge then becomes determining which governmental or international authority is responsible for identifying, prioritizing, and allocating PSRs for scientific or commercial purposes. Similar questions arise for other SSSIs.
While some SSSIs may require long-term protection, potentially in perpetuity, others may warrant special protection only for a limited period, until their environments have been adequately studied.
Mandate
The Task Group will:
- Study the scientific prerequisites for sustainable management of lunar special areas;
- Consult and coordinate the matter with relevant COSPAR entities, e. Scientific Commission B, PEX, PPP, PEDAS and CIR;
- Liaise with other stakeholders externally to COSPAR, such as research organizations, entities active in scientific, technical, legal and policy aspects of sustainable lunar exploration and use (e.g. COPUOS-ATLAC, MVA-GEGSLA, LPP, OLF etc.), industry and private sector, and space agencies, as appropriate;
- Organize an international event in the autumn of 2026 [date TBC], to advance the goals of the Task Group and poll the broader community;
- On the basis of this fact finding and analytical process, make its final recommendations to the COSPAR Bureau for further submission to COPUOS before its main session in June 2027, taking into account the workplan of the COPUOS Action Team on Lunar Activities Consultation (ATLAC) which concludes in 2027 (2025 COPUOS report, A/80/20, Annex I).
The present timeline for the Task Group may be revised and extended as needed upon decision by the COSPAR Bureau.
The Task Group shall have 1 Chair and up to 2 Vice-Chairs, appointed by the COSPAR Bureau. Its membership will be drawn from COSPAR Commissions and Panels, including CIR, and external expertise representing science disciplines, but also, as may be determined by the Task Group Leadership, expertise in social sciences and humanities.