NASA’s Live Simulations Featuring: Target Moon

Scenario The Comet Named KC2035. Newly discovered. Might impact the moon as close as 1,500 km from one of the three lunar sites. On mission day as the next readings come in from ground-based radar, scientists will be able to give more accurate estimates. NASA calls upon your team of specialists to monitor the progress of the comet.

The Lunar Bases A: Lunar Port/Lab: NASA chose a site near the equator to minimize the amount of fuel needed for trips to and from Earth. Located near the landing site of the 1969 Apollo 11 mission. For transportation, this site maintains pressurized and unpressurized rovers. Also, each astronaut has a personal jetpack they can use to travel short distances. A shuttle to Earth is located on the launch pad.

The Lunar Bases B: Mining Site: Located approximately 200 km east of the Lunar Port. Mines Ilmenite and Helium-3. Ilmenite is a mineral used to extract oxygen and also to make jetpack propellants. Helium-3 is exported back to the Earth as a clean source for nuclear power generation. For transportation, this site maintains pressurized and unpressurized rovers. Also, each astronaut has a personal jetpack they can use to travel short distances.

The Lunar Bases C: Mobile Lab: Mobile research station Currently located around 400 km north of the mining site. It is slowly making its way to the north pole. Comprised of a “habot” and two “mobitats”. Also, each astronaut has a personal jetpack they can use to travel short distances.

Zone of Probable Impact (ZOPI) Comet Crater Ejecta

Teams: Comet Tracking Team This team is calculating three important things: The estimated time of impact, which tells us how many hours we have before the comet impacts the moon. The size of the crater, which is related to how big the comet is and how fast it is traveling. The distance reached by ejecta, or debris, that is kicked up by the comet when it impacts the moon.

Teams: Moon Mapping Team This team is calculating two important things: The area of the ZOPI (zone of probable impact), which is the region where there is a 95 percent probability that the comet will hit. The probability for each base that it will be destroyed by the comet. This is done by calculating the ratio of the smaller danger area near the base to the larger area of the ZOPI.

Teams: Crisis Management Team This team is responsible for: Gathering information about the people and equipment available at each base. Deciding whether or not to move the personnel and equipment to safer locations before the comet hits. Using distance measures and times to track movement.

Getting Ready Read your team’s instructions and assign tasks Practice Discuss the communication flow of real-time data, calculations, & report forms Moon Mapping Team-Practice using the Online Moon Map