The Endurance Lunar Rover Sample Return Mission

The proposed Endurance mission could accomplish transformative science that fundamentally alters our understanding of our solar system while addressing long standing priority science questions. The concept uses a long-range rover to explore, traverse, and collect samples from across the far-side of the Moon. Endurance is effectively a sample return campaign in one mission and would collect 12 unique sets of samples. The mission concept was highly recommended to NASA last year by the National Academy’s Planetary Science and Astrobiology Decadal Survey (2023–2032). The study includes a long-distance lunar rover that is planned to drive nearly 2,000 km across the far-side South Pole–Aitken (SPA) basin, which could be launched as early as 2030. The large sample collection of nearly 100 kg would then be delivered to Artemis astronauts at the lunar south pole basecamp for return to Earth. The 12 sample sets would be used to address long-standing, priority science questions about the dynamics of the early Solar System, giant impacts, the nature of the lunar mantle, and the thermochemical evolution of rocky worlds.Sample selection instruments were identified to ensure that scientifically meaningful samples would be collected. The minimum set of instruments recommended in the study were a pair of stereo color cameras for geologic context of the sample site and an infra-red point spectrometer for compositional analysis and sample identification. While the emphasis of the mission concept is on sample collection, it is anticipated that other in-situ measurements along the traverse would not only provide meaningful geologic context for each sample site but further enrich our understanding of the Moon. NASA intends to form a Science Definition Team (SDT) to formally create the mission science and measurement requirements.A lunar SPA sample return mission has been recommended for the past three planetary science decadal surveys as a medium-sized (New Frontiers-class) mission. Previous studies looked at collecting a kilogram of sample material from one site using a stationary platform. The Endurance lunar rover is a medium-sized mission that could traverse across geologically diverse terrain making for robust sample analysis and more definitive science conclusions. To keep costs low, the concept uses a Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) to deliver the approximately 500 kg rover to the center of SPA, leverages other lunar mobility developments, and engages astronauts for the sample return.The long-distance traverse needed for this mission would be made possible through the use of autonomous off-road driving technology. NASA’s Mars Perseverance rover has demonstrated short traverse autonomous driving capabilities up to 700m, which would be upgraded for the Endurance mission. To allow for follow on missions, some elements of the rover, such as the wheels and science payload module would be serviceable by astronauts.The Endurance sample return mission, would be a valuable part of a long-term sustainable lunar exploration program in the cost range of a medium-class mission. The mission would use commercial partners to access the US industrial base while leveraging unique technology capabilities used for other planetary rovers. Working jointly with humans on the Moon, this mission would accomplish science that could fundamentally alter our understanding of our solar system history while addressing long standing priority planetary science questions.