Small spacecraft exploration of the Moon

The Clementine and Lunar Prospector missions to the Moon have greatly increased our knowledge of the Moon, particularly of the Moon's polar regions. These latest findings indicate that several new datasets should be obtained. Because the Moon is close, much of these data can be obtained using small, low cost spacecraft. One of the more intriguing discoveries is the likely presence of water ice deposits in the permanently dark areas near the lunar poles. These deposits represent a valuable resource and expanding our knowledge of their extent and properties is the next logical step in lunar exploration. Such exploration can be achieved by using instruments on a small satellite to characterize the polar regions. An imaging experiment could map the lighting conditions surrounding the poles to determine the extent of permanent darkness (where water ice would be stable) and permanent sunlight (where surface operations could be easily supported).