The Scientific Value of a Sustained Exploration Program at the Aristarchus Plateau

Abstract The Aristarchus plateau hosts a diversity of volcanic features, including the largest pyroclastic deposit on Moon, sinuous rille and intrusive extrusive examples evolved, Th-rich silicic lithologies. We provide an overview previous remote-sensing measurements new analyses Diviner Lunar Radiometer thermal IR data, Prospector Gamma Ray Spectrometer Th Chang’e-5 Microwave hyperspectral multispectral visible/near-infrared images spectra from Chandrayaan-1 Moon Mineralogy Mapper Kaguya Multispectral Imager. rich features presents opportunity for sustained science exploration program. suggest series missions to crater floor or ejecta, Cobra Head, Herodotus Mons investigate link between pyroclastic, effusive basaltic, volcanism in region. Such would enable rocks that are rare Apollo sample collection demonstrate situ resource utilization FeO- H 2 O-bearing materials.