The module introduces lunar science and exploration, covering the Moon’s origin, physical properties, and evolution, as well as the history of lunar exploration with major missions, key milestones, and the resulting scientific discoveries. Building on this foundation, students learn core principles for planning and developing lunar exploration missions. The scientific content spans lunar geology and geophysics across scales, including global topics such as near-side versus far-side differences, volcanism, seismology, topography, and surface roughness, and micro-scale topics including mineralogy and regolith properties. The module also addresses regolith simulants (their properties, availability, and practical applications) and the lunar environment, with emphasis on surface temperatures, the exosphere, and volatiles on and around the Moon.
A substantial practical component focuses on working with essential lunar datasets and tools, particularly Diviner (temperature) and LOLA (topography and roughness), including data access and exploration using platforms such as QuickMap. Students apply these resources to analyze and interpret lunar data in support of scientific investigations and mission planning. In parallel, the module develops scientific communication and assessment competencies through writing scientific reports and proposals, conducting peer review, and creating and presenting scientific posters

- Programming skills are recommended
- [ED110104] Introduction to Spaceflight
- [ED110105] Spacecraft Design - Fundamentals
- [ED110108] Space Exploration

The module is delivered as an in-person seminar, limited to 40 students to maintain a highly focused group. In two 90-minute slots per week, students learn about the Moon through expert (and guest) lectures, deepen their understanding of the content, learn how to work with available datasets during exercises, and develop their group project during dedicated work phases and consultation hours. Lectures are presented using PowerPoint presentations with integrated, anonymous, and ungraded quizzes. During the project work phase, short topical presentations provide additional guidance on the format and best practices for the project reports and the final poster presentation.
Sample project topics include:
• Water, Volatile Migration & Ice Deposits
• Thermal Evolution, Interior Structure & Volcanism
• Lunar Geology, Mantle Composition & Impacts
• Lunar Exosphere, Solar Wind, Dust & Radiation Environment