The Lunar Explorers Society (LUNEX) was founded by the participants of the
4th International Conference on the Exploration and Utilisation of the Moon
(ICEUM4), held in July 2000 at the European Space Research and Technology
Centre (ESTEC) in The Netherlands. ICEUM4 was organised under the auspices
of the International Lunar Exploration Working Group (ILEWG), and aimed to
draw together people from diverse backgrounds with a common interest in the
exploration of the Moon. At the end of the conference, a formal ICEUM4 Dec
laration was drawn up detailing the recommendations of the participants for
the future of lunar exploration. LUNEX will be a society open to all Lunar
Explorers and will aim to promote research, exploration and outreach progr
ammes that will work towards the realisation of the goals outlined in the I
CEUM4 Declaration. Following ICEUM4, a core group of active LUNEX members w
as identified to begin to shape the new-born society with guidance from ILE
WG. A series of task groups have been installed to address the key LUNEX is
sues, with strong participation of young lunar explorers, and work is progr
essing towards the first LUNEX activities, both at the level of the task gr
oups and to form national chapters. The first LUNEX convention will be held
in March 2001, starting in Paris with the opening session, then continuing
in Houston at the LPSC and closing in Nice during the EGS-conference. Furt
her information about the Lunar Explorers Society can be found on our Websi
te: http://www.lunarexplorers.org.