Goals: This mission concept calls for robotic technology to gather samples from the Moon's South Pole-Aitken Basin and return them to Earth for study. The Aitken Basin, a massive impact crater on the Moon's far side, may provide access to samples of the lunar mantle, which could give scientists insight into the period of heavy bombardment early in our solar system's history.

Accomplishments: This mission is a concept proposed to accomplish one of several high-priority science investigations recommended by the National Research Council. NASA will choose one concept to be developed as a New Frontiers program mission.