The Moon needs an international lunar resource prospecting campaign

The Moon is a highly valued destination for human space exploration because it is close and it contains a wide array of lunar and Solar System science targets, which include resources that could be used to sustain humans on the lunar surface. These resources have the potential to enable sustainable human space exploration, develop a vibrant cislunar economy, and directly benefit society here on Earth. However, recent rhetoric about the importance and value of these resources has used the term as if we know they are reserves. An immediate and vital next step has not yet been realized to define the reserve potential of such resources, and that is designing and implementing a coordinated international lunar resource evaluation (prospecting) campaign. This paper outlines the issues that need to be addressed by such a campaign, including why it needs to be international in nature and how the coordination can be started and evolved, as well as exploring the benefits that would come from prospecting on the Moon.