We discuss the ramifications of landing and operating a standard ion-electron plasma spectrometer on the Moon making measurements of the solar wind and magnetosphere plasma. We discuss the design and operation challenges faced by an open aperture instrument that has to mitigate electrostatically charged, abrasive lunar dust, the extreme temperature environment, and the unique measuring challenges that come with observing space plasma while at a fixed location on a rotating planetary body. Discussion are based on our Lunar Vertex/MAPS instrument that will land on the Moon in 2026.