Dear friends,

Clementine's probable identification of significant quantities of water ice on
the Moon's south Pole is exciting. Confirmation of this possibility would
revolutionize and  super-charge lunar exploration, making the Moon the de
facto gateway to stars, while establishing the south pole of the Moon as a
premier candidate for extra-terrestrial habitation.

If the enclosed NASA Discovery proposal is accepted, at the turn of
the Millenium CMU & LPI, in partnership with JSC and JPL, will
confirm lunar ice, map its extent, and collect valuable stratigraphic
data which will illuminate two billion years of Earth-Moon history.
According to Dr. Alan Binder of the Lunar Prospector mission, the presence of
water and the fraction composition of other volitiles can only be
confirmed via surface exploration. The proposed lunar Lander-Explorer will
collect data to positively identify and characterize the nature of
polar ice.

Organizations and individuals including The Boeing Company, Space Studies
Institute, NASA Lewis, Space Frontier Foundation, Freeman Dyson and Harrison
Schmitt have given rousing support to this initiative. As well as sharing an
undercurrent of the challenge and excitement of discovery, they have
formed clear perspectives of the scientific significance, commercial potential
and technical viability of this mission. In the process of
writing this proposal, a strong community has been formed of those who share
the vision of lunar polar science and exploration.

In the following days and weeks, we will reach out to extend invitations to
participate in workshops, request your perspectives on our ongoing space
robotics design course and establish scientific/technical/commercial
relationships. We intend to ignite a vibrant conversation on scientific,
technological and visionary roles of this mission, thus unifying and declaring
ourselves and our charter to the larger space community. If the need arises we
will be at your door to further this interchange. You are always invited to
visit us at the Robotics Institute or the Lunar Planetary Institute.

The Lunar Ice Discovery Mission Proposal and Video Overview are included for
your perusal. Please feel free to disseminate it in your community. We have
publication quality glossies available on request. The fact that you received
this letter indicates our appreciation of your commitment to space, the Moon
and the future of mankind.

We look forward to hearing from you in the near future. Let us hope that 1997
gives us the opportunity to return this nation to the Moon, this time for
good. 

Warmest Regards,




The Lunar Ice Discovery team,

Red Whittaker (red@ri.cmu.edu, 412-268-6559)
Mike Duke ( @ , #)
Barry Brumitt, Lalitesh Katragadda, John Murphy, Stewart Moorehead
(discovery-ice@ri.cmu.edu, 412-268-7414,http://www.ri.cmu.edu/lri/ice.html)