IRF participates in ESA study for a future Lunar Environment Analysis Package

Researchers at the Swedish Institute of Space Physics (IRF) are participating in a study funded by European Space Agency, ESA to develop the scientific instrument package concept for a potential future lunar surface mission. The concept, named as Lunar Environment Analysis Package (LEAP, or AstroLEAP), is being prepared, targeting its deployment in the early 2030 on the lunar surface.

The activity is carried out within the framework of ESA and focuses on refining the scientific objectives and developing the preliminary design of an instrument suite capable of investigating the complex, dynamic space environment of the Moon. The study is currently an early development phase. IRF, together with collaborators from across Europe, aims to establish a consolidated conceptual design by the middle of 2026.

AstroLEAP is intended to examine how plasma particles, electric field, neutral particles, dust grains, and the lunar surface interact with one another. The Moon has neither a substantial atmosphere nor a global magnetic field. Its surface is directly exposed to solar wind, radiation, and micrometeoroids, creating a harsh environment that is still poorly understood.

“The lunar environment is fundamentally different from that of Earth. The physical processes ongoing at the surface are still poorly understood, yet this knowledge is essential for future activities on the Moon. As exploration increases, human presence will inevitably modify the environment. It is therefore urgent to carry out systematic characterization now, before significant artificial alterations take place,” said Prof. Yoshifumi Futaana, project manager of this study.

As a part of the ongoing work, IRF researchers participated in a two-day science workshop at ESTEC in Noordwijk, the Netherlands. The workshop gathered approximately 60 scientists and engineers from across Europe to further define the scientific objectives and measurement strategies for a future lunar surface experiment.

By contributing to AstroLEAP, IRF is helping to build the scientific foundation for Europe’s next phase of lunar exploration. The study will clarify how key environmental parameters can be measured, providing essential knowledge for future robotic and human missions. As international efforts toward the Moon accelerate, such baseline measurements will be critical for understanding environmental processes and predicting human impact, enabling sustainable and safe exploration of our nearest celestial neighbour.