MoonLITE - A Low Cost Lunar Scientific and Technology Demonstration Mission

Paper number

IAC-08.A3.2.B3

Author

Mr. Andy Phipps, Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd., United Kingdom

Year

2008

Abstract

The UK's Science & Technology Facilities Council has supported a study of low cost lunar orbiter and lander missions in 2006.  This enabled the identification of low-cost lander and orbiter concepts which could be affordable within the UK budget.  Support is growing for a National UK mission, preparing for a major UK role in the international programme of space exploration.  A UK team has been assembeld to explore the scientific, economic and educational / outreach benefits of such a mission. The first mission (named MoonLITE) has been taken forward for a phase-A level study. MoonLITE would carry several miniaturised scientific payloads to the Moon aiming to make critical measurements related to the nature of the lunar interior and make first contact with the icy volatiles believed to be present in the shaded polar craters. 
The SSTL interplanetary platform, which MoonLITE could be based on, is capable of supporting as number of experiments to the Moon, and communications relay and navigation demonstration payloads to demonstrate future support for international missions has been studied in relation to a Joint Working Group between NASA and the UK.

This paper will explore the potential of a low-cost platform to support cost-effective lunar exploration initatives. The technology readiness of the MoonLITE concept and technologies will be outlined, along with the operations plan. 

Abstract document

IAC-08.A3.2.B3.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-08.A3.2.B3.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.