Low Cost Lunar Penetrator for Scientific Investigation of the Moons Subsurface
- Paper number
IAC-09.A3.2INT.1
- Author
Mr. Andy Phipps, Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd, United Kingdom
- Year
2009
- Abstract
The next few decades involve a dramatically increased interest in lunar exploration for the purpose of developing a permanent human and robotic presence on the Moon, both for scientific investigation and space exploration objectives. This renewed interest is broad and international, involving space agencies from the USA, Europe, China, India, Japan, Russia, Germany, UK, and others. While several countries are taking their first steps in lunar exploration with orbiters there is still considerable interest in the lunar subsurface from a scientific perspective. This paper will explore concepts to undertake subsurface investigation of the moons’ regolith. A preliminary design is presented for the mission and an explanation of each subsystem along with the key technological drivers and trade-offs to be considered. This technology oriented approach is proposed to meet a hypothetical launch date of 2011, as a result scientific fidelity will be traded so that the schedule and financial constraints can be met, However, if undertaken this mission will perform critical, yet rapid, lunar science. This paper presents a mission solution that can be delivered within 3 years for a mission cost of $12 million (based upon existing scientific instruments)
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
(absent)