[Satellite Today 08-20-08] NASA issued a request for information Aug. 18 for providing communications and navigation services that would support the development of exploration, scientific and commercial capabilities on the moon throughout the next 25 years.
    NASA plans to establish science stations on the lunar surface as early as 2013, followed by the return of manned missions to the moon and establishment of the first lunar outpost in 2020. NASA said it would provide the communications, networking and navigation capabilities required to support these efforts.
    The request is one step of a larger study that will culminate in a final NASA report addressing strategies for the commercial co-development of lunar communications and navigation.