Support our Missions to the Moon

The International Lunar Observatory Association (ILOA Hawai‘i) is an interglobal enterprise incorporated in Hawai‘i since 2007 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Its mission is to expand human knowledge of the Cosmos through observations from the Moon and to participate in internationally cooperative lunar base build-out—with Aloha, the spirit of Hawai‘i.

Along with its goals to advance 21st Century galaxy education, science, and exploration though the Galaxy Forum program, the ILOA has a vested interest in ensuring Hawai‘i’s position as a global leader in astronomy and space science for the next 100 years throughout the Solar System, supported by a series of Moon missions.

The ILOA precursor ILO-X instruments landed on the Moon on February 22, 2024, via the Intuitive Machines IM-1 lander. The mission returned a total of 341 images: 16 high-resolution images and 322 thumbnails (many of which can be viewed here on the ILOA website).

The ILO-C wide-field optical payload is scheduled to launch to the rim of Shackleton Crater near the Moon's South Pole aboard China's Chang'e-7 lander in 2026 (net late 2026, with some sources indicating August or later in the year). This mission is made possible through agreements with the Deep Space Exploration Laboratory (DSEL), National Astronomical Observatories of China (NAOC), Hong Kong University Laboratory for Space Research (HKU-LSR), and National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (NARIT).

ILOA is currently contracted with Canadensys Aerospace for the development of ILO-1—our flagship mission—for long-term astronomy, Earth observation, local lunar landscape imaging, and communications. ILO-1 will be mounted on the Astrolab FLEX rover and is expected to operate on the lunar surface for at least one year, beginning in 2027–2028.

Please consider supporting us to ensure the success of the ILO-1 mission and to help fulfill the vision of our Founding Director, Steve Durst, who tirelessly dedicated himself to this work. Our Board of Directors and staff remain committed to ILOA's international, interglobal, and scientific goals.

Use the PayPal button below to donate or to donate without a transaction fee, please mail a check to:
International Lunar Observatory Association
65-1230 Mamalahoa Hwy, Suite D20
Kamuela, HI 96743

All donations are tax deductible.
ILOA is a 501(c)(3) organization with charitable purpose including scientific research (lunar observation) and educational events.