Lunar Geology Traverse Kimberly Albarico ASTE 527 Monday December 15, 2008

Kimberly AlbaricoDec 15, 2008Lunar Geology Through the Looking Glass Return humankind to the moon Establish semi-permanent structures Give back to the scientific community –Observatories –Traverse with multiple stops for geological studies –Each phase studies additional areas Invaluable experience for future Mars projects

Kimberly AlbaricoDec 15, 2008Lunar Geology Discover location of resources for ISRU Lunar formation Earth and other planetary meteorite remains –Origin of life/Astrobiology –History of planetary formation Samples for lunar machinery development South Pole Region Source: Lunar and Planetary Society

Kimberly Albarico South Pole-Aitken Basin Largest impact basin in the solar system Different element concentration from the rest of the Lunar surface Thinner crust Mantle may be present –Compositionally different from crust Dec 15, 2008Lunar Geology South Pole- Aitken Basin Topology Source: Lunar and Planetary Institute South Pole- Aitken Basin Iron and Titanium Concentration Source: Lunar and Planetary Institute

Kimberly AlbaricoDec 15, 2008Lunar Geology Why Manned Exploration? Humans versus robots debate Humans have greater versatility than robots –Flexibility of tasks that can be accomplished –Maneuverability/Range of motion –On site decision-making – Ability to reason to solve unexpected problems No time delay from telerobotics Engages public interest

Kimberly AlbaricoDec 15, 2008LunarSS Traverse Phase I Start: Landing Zone at Mons Malapert –Prepare Rovers –Begin star-tracking First Stop: De Gerlache Crater Second Stop: Shackleton Crater –Resupply –Setup observatory Lunar South Pole Source: Space.com

Kimberly AlbaricoDec 15, 2008LunarSS Earth-set image taken by KAGUYA Source: JAXA

Kimberly Albarico Return Route Dec 15, 2008Lunar Geology Return trip to Mons Malapert along different route to cover additional terrain Third Stop: Faustini Crater Fourth Stop: Shoemaker Crater Fifth Stop: Malapert Crater End: Mons Malapert Top/Right: Shoemaker-Faustini and Shackleton Craters Source: Space.com NASA, Left (Right) South Pole Cold Traps Source: Cornell University

Kimberly AlbaricoDec 15, 2008LunarSS 0. Mons Malapert 1.De Gerlache Crater 2.Shackleton Crater 3.Faustini Crater 4.Shoemaker Crater 5.Malapert Crater Source: NASA-JPL Clementine Elevation and Slope Maps Main Traverse Path Excursions

Kimberly AlbaricoDec 15, 2008Lunar Geology Support Twin rovers in case of a malfunction or accident Main Rover –Basic tools and drill for geological sampling –Storage for Earthbound samples –Small quarters for multi-day traverses or site studies –Pressurized Lab for preliminary on-site testing CEV passes overhead approximately every 90 minutes

Kimberly AlbaricoDec 15, 2008Lunar Geology Further Studies: Phase II Power System Links Schrödinger Basin (Crater) –Setup SPIDAR Array –Explore Lava tubes Above: Elevation map of South Pole-Aitken Basin Left: Dark-halo crater located within Schrödinger Basin Source: Lunar and Planetary Institute, Clementine Images

Kimberly AlbaricoDec 15, 2008Lunar Geology Future Studies: Ideally the entirety of the Lunar surface will be traversed and compositionally mapped Heavy duty drilling operations to study deeper layers of the lower crust and mantle Very long traverses Completely equipped Mobile Lab (or permanent base) for thorough on-site testing

Kimberly AlbaricoDec 15, 2008Lunar Geology References Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) –KAGUYA (SELENE), Image Taking of Earth-Rise by HDTV NASA-JPL –NASA Views Landing Site Through Eyes of Future Moon Crew –Lunar Mission Pilot Case Studies NASA –Enhanced Radar Imagery of Lunar South Pole: Media Briefing, SPACE.com –Lunar South Pole Landing Sites Studied Lunar and Planetary Institute –Digital Lunar Orbiter Photographic Atlas of the Moon Planetary Science Research Discoveries. The Biggest –Hole in the Solar System, G. Jeffrey Taylor, Hawai'i Institute of Geophysics and Planetology Innovations Report –New lunar south polar maps from SMART-1, X Prize –Target Aitken Basin, South Pole Lunar Astrobiology: Potential for pre-biotic chemistry at the poles of the Moon, Lucey, Paul Cornell News –Radar provides first 3-D views of moon's frigid poles