Japanese Lunar Exploration Long Term Plan

Paper number

IAC-05-D3.1.03

Author

Mr. Kohtaro Matsumoto, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (IAT/JAXA), Japan

Coauthor

Mr. Norimitsu Kamimori, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (ISTA/JAXA), Japan

Coauthor

Mr. Yoshisada Takizawa, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)/ISAS, Japan

Coauthor

Prof. Manabu Kato, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)/ISAS, Japan

Year

2005

Abstract

From 2001, we have studied Japanese moon lander SELENE-B to investigate the moon origin and its utilization. The very precise and autonomous obstacle detection and avoidance landing technologies were major technological subjects in its phase-A concept study.

  After the NASA’s new space vision, our moon exploration activities are accelerated to adjust our plan as the significant and worthwhile for the worldwide exploration trend for the moon and mars. New moon exploration plan has been studied and are being under planning as one of major subjects in JAXA’s long-term space vision. In this new long term space vision, we would like to cooperate complementary to the world activities, utilizing our modern top technologies, such as robotics. The human moon explorations are also attractive for the people and for JAXA’s human space activities and experiences from ISS-JEM. 

  In the polar region, many new technological matters will be critical. The typical ones are the very low sun angle for Landing; lack of optical images for the permanent shadowed zone; lack of direct communication link between lander and earth; very low temperature even in the day time; and so on. For the landing, in our preliminary consideration, the SELENE-B landing concept will still be effective even for the current new and hottest landing sites, such as the permanent shadow zone and its vicinity of polar region. If we could add and combine the LRO data with the SELENE data, the landing preciseness and reliability of obstacle avoidance will be improved even for the polar region.

  For the geological features of the polar region surface, it might be different from the Surveyor and Apollo landing sites, since the mean temperature is very low, and the temperature difference is also not so drastic. For the landing, whether the surface is covered by the thick regolith or not, will be very critical for the lander leg design. 

  In the presentation, our long-term lunar exploration plans in JAXA’s new space vision and new technological subjects for the polar region landing will be discussed.

Abstract document

IAC-05-D3.1.03.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-05-D3.1.03.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

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