scholarly journals The peaks of eternal light: A near-term property issue on the moon

Space Policy ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 38 ◽  
pp. 30-38 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Elvis ◽  
Tony Milligan ◽  
Alanna Krolikowski
Keyword(s):  
The Moon ◽  
Near Term

scholarly journals Towards synthetic biological approaches to resource utilization on space missions

2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (102) ◽  
pp. 20140715 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amor A. Menezes ◽  
John Cumbers ◽  
John A. Hogan ◽  
Adam P. Arkin
Keyword(s):  
Synthetic Biology ◽  
Resource Utilization ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Methanobacterium Thermoautotrophicum ◽  
Arthrospira Platensis ◽  
The Moon ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Near Term ◽  
Lunar Missions ◽  
Manufacture Plant

This paper demonstrates the significant utility of deploying non-traditional biological techniques to harness available volatiles and waste resources on manned missions to explore the Moon and Mars. Compared with anticipated non-biological approaches, it is determined that for 916 day Martian missions: 205 days of high-quality methane and oxygen Mars bioproduction with Methanobacterium thermoautotrophicum can reduce the mass of a Martian fuel-manufacture plant by 56%; 496 days of biomass generation with Arthrospira platensis and Arthrospira maxima on Mars can decrease the shipped wet-food mixed-menu mass for a Mars stay and a one-way voyage by 38%; 202 days of Mars polyhydroxybutyrate synthesis with Cupriavidus necator can lower the shipped mass to three-dimensional print a 120 m 3 six-person habitat by 85% and a few days of acetaminophen production with engineered Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 can completely replenish expired or irradiated stocks of the pharmaceutical, thereby providing independence from unmanned resupply spacecraft that take up to 210 days to arrive. Analogous outcomes are included for lunar missions. Because of the benign assumptions involved, the results provide a glimpse of the intriguing potential of ‘space synthetic biology’, and help focus related efforts for immediate, near-term impact.

scholarly journals LUNAR LASER RANGING TESTS OF THE EQUIVALENCE PRINCIPLE WITH THE EARTH AND MOON

2009 ◽  
Vol 18 (07) ◽  
pp. 1129-1175 ◽  
Author(s):  
JAMES G. WILLIAMS ◽  
SLAVA G. TURYSHEV ◽  
DALE H. BOGGS
Keyword(s):  
Equivalence Principle ◽  
Primary Objective ◽  
Laser Ranging ◽  
The Moon ◽  
Lunar Laser Ranging ◽  
The Earth ◽  
Lunar Laser ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Near Term ◽  
Ppn Parameters

A primary objective of the lunar laser ranging (LLR) experiment is to provide precise observations of the lunar orbit that contribute to a wide range of science investigations. In particular, time series of the highly accurate measurements of the distance between the Earth and the Moon provide unique information used to determine whether, in accordance with the equivalence principle (EP), these two celestial bodies are falling toward the Sun at the same rate, despite their different masses, compositions, and gravitational self-energies. Thirty-five years since their initiation, analyses of precision laser ranges to the Moon continue to provide increasingly stringent limits on any violation of the EP. Current LLR solutions give (-1.0 ± 1.4) × 10-13 for any possible inequality in the ratios of the gravitational and inertial masses for the Earth and Moon, Δ(MG/MI). This result, in combination with laboratory experiments on the weak equivalence principle, yields a strong equivalence principle (SEP) test of Δ(MG/MI) SEP = (-2.0 ± 2.0) × 10-13. Such an accurate result allows other tests of gravitational theories. The result of the SEP test translates into a value for the corresponding SEP violation parameter η of (4.4 ± 4.5) × 10-4, where η = 4β - γ - 3 and both γ and β are parametrized post-Newtonian (PPN) parameters. Using the recent result for the parameter γ derived from the radiometric tracking data from the Cassini mission, the PPN parameter β (quantifying the nonlinearity of gravitational superposition) is determined to be β - 1 = (1.2 ± 1.1) × 10-4. We also present the history of the LLR effort and describe the technique that is being used. Focusing on the tests of the EP, we discuss the existing data, and characterize the modeling and data analysis techniques. The robustness of the LLR solutions is demonstrated with several different approaches that are presented in the text. We emphasize that near-term improvements in the LLR accuracy will further advance the research on relativistic gravity in the solar system and, most notably, will continue to provide highly accurate tests of the EP.

Building a European Lunar Capability with the European Large Logistic Lander

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nick Gollins ◽  
Shahrzad Timman ◽  
Max Braun ◽  
Markus Landgraf
Keyword(s):  
Lunar Surface ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Low Earth Orbit ◽  
Interface Element ◽  
The Moon ◽  
Sample Return ◽  
Lunar Science ◽  
Science Community ◽  
Near Term ◽  
Human Exploration

<div> <p>In the context of an accelerated lunar exploration agenda on international level, ESA is engaging in studies to enable European roles in the near and mid-term which can support the international community. While near-term opportunities exist in “boots-on-the-ground” human lunar return in the frame of the NASA Artemis programme and commercial (CLPS) robotic landers, ESA continues to prepare the next step in sustainability with the European Large Logistic Lander (EL3).</p> <p>Returning to the Moon not only yields fundamentally important science opportunities for our understanding of the Solar System but also allows us to test hardware and operational procedures for the exploration and utilization of space beyond Low Earth Orbit (LEO). EL3 will be a sustainable programme that will allow a diversity of missions for the science community. Whilst EL3 is intended to be a generalised lander capable of delivering a wide variety of cargo, such as science experiments, crew supplies, or unpressurised rovers, the most studied mission to date is a sample return package comprised of a return stage and a rover. EL3 Sample Return will land on the lunar surface, demonstrate surface operations, and return ∼15 kg of samples to the lunar Gateway and back to Earth by the astronauts aboard Orion. Hence, the mission will begin a robotic pathway toward sustainable human exploration of the Moon and beyond. </p> <p>To achieve this, some of the key objectives include: (1) Create opportunities for science, particularly sample return, which has been highlighted as a key aspect of ESA’s lunar science strategy; (2) Gain scientific and exploration knowledge by scouting for potential resources; (3) Create opportunities to demonstrate and test technologies and operational procedures for future Mars missions; (4) Preparing for more sustainable human lunar missions by implementing, demonstrating, and certifying technology elements for vehicle reusability, mobility, and night survival.</p> <p>EL3 Sample Return will consist of the EL3 cargo lander, an interface element housing a 330 kg rover, and a Lunar Ascent Element (LAE) that will return the samples to the lunar Gateway. The rover will be designed for driving more than 100 km at relatively high speed and surviving the lunar night. Whilst mostly operated by ground control on Earth, the rover could also be partly tele-operated by astronauts aboard the Gateway. Once landed on the lunar surface, the rover will immediately collect a contingency sample and will then collect additional samples along a ∼35 km long traverse. The rover will carry a suite of scientific instruments that will allow the comprehensive study of the sampling locations, providing the context of the samples, as well as the geology along the traverse. After depositing the samples into the LAE, the rover will embark on a 100+ km traverse along which it will take further in-situ measurements over the course of a year or more.</p> <p>In summary, the goals of the EL3 programme will be to support international crewed lunar activities, develop and fly the technologies necessary to build Europe’s lunar capability, and serve the needs of the lunar science community.</p> </div><p> </p>

scholarly journals Concentrated lunar resources: imminent implications for governance and justice

2020 ◽  
Vol 379 (2188) ◽  
pp. 20190563 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Elvis ◽  
Alanna Krolikowski ◽  
Tony Milligan
Keyword(s):  
The Moon ◽  
Legal Policy ◽  
Physical Resources ◽  
Special Value ◽  
Near Term ◽  
Key Sites ◽  
Small Sites ◽  
Proactive Measures ◽  
Almost All

Numerous missions planned for the next decade are likely to target a handful of small sites of interest on the Moon's surface, creating risks of crowding and interference at these locations. The Moon presents finite and scarce areas with rare topography or concentrations of resources of special value. Locations of interest to science, notably for astronomy, include the Peaks of Eternal Light, the coldest of the cold traps and smooth areas on the far side. Regions richest in physical resources could also be uniquely suited to settlement and commerce. Such sites of interest are both few and small. Typically, there are fewer than ten key sites of each type, each site spanning a few kilometres across. We survey the implications for different kinds of mission and find that the diverse actors pursuing incompatible ends at these sites could soon crowd and interfere with each other, leaving almost all actors worse off. Without proactive measures to prevent these outcomes, lunar actors are likely to experience significant losses of opportunity. We highlight the legal, policy and ethical ramifications. Insights from research on comparable sites on Earth present a path toward managing lunar crowding and interference grounded in ethical and practical near-term considerations. This article is part of a discussion meeting issue ‘Astronomy from the Moon: the next decades'.

The motion of a lunar orbiter

1966 ◽  
Vol 25 ◽  
pp. 373
Author(s):  
Y. Kozai
Keyword(s):  
Degrees Of Freedom ◽  
Dimensional Space ◽  
Artificial Satellite ◽  
Equations Of Motion ◽  
Triaxial Ellipsoid ◽  
The Moon ◽  
Secular Motion ◽  
The Earth ◽  
Close Satellite ◽  
The Mean

The motion of an artificial satellite around the Moon is much more complicated than that around the Earth, since the shape of the Moon is a triaxial ellipsoid and the effect of the Earth on the motion is very important even for a very close satellite.The differential equations of motion of the satellite are written in canonical form of three degrees of freedom with time depending Hamiltonian. By eliminating short-periodic terms depending on the mean longitude of the satellite and by assuming that the Earth is moving on the lunar equator, however, the equations are reduced to those of two degrees of freedom with an energy integral.Since the mean motion of the Earth around the Moon is more rapid than the secular motion of the argument of pericentre of the satellite by a factor of one order, the terms depending on the longitude of the Earth can be eliminated, and the degree of freedom is reduced to one.Then the motion can be discussed by drawing equi-energy curves in two-dimensional space. According to these figures satellites with high inclination have large possibilities of falling down to the lunar surface even if the initial eccentricities are very small.The principal properties of the motion are not changed even if plausible values ofJ3andJ4of the Moon are included.This paper has been published in Publ. astr. Soc.Japan15, 301, 1963.

Laboratory Simulation of Lunar Luminescence

1962 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
pp. 441-444 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. E. Geake ◽  
H. Lipson ◽  
M. D. Lumb
Keyword(s):  
Science And Technology ◽  
Laboratory Simulation ◽  
The Moon ◽  
Physics Department ◽  
Luminescent Spectrum

Work has recently begun in the Physics Department of the Manchester College of Science and Technology on an attempt to simulate lunar luminescence in the laboratory. This programme is running parallel with that of our colleagues in the Manchester University Astronomy Department, who are making observations of the luminescent spectrum of the Moon itself. Our instruments are as yet only partly completed, but we will describe briefly what they are to consist of, in the hope that we may benefit from the comments of others in the same field, and arrange to co-ordinate our work with theirs.

Formation of Lunar Craters and Bright Rays as a Result of Meteorite Impacts

1962 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
pp. 415-418
Author(s):  
K. P. Stanyukovich ◽  
V. A. Bronshten
Keyword(s):  
Explosive Charge ◽  
The Moon ◽  
Meteorite Impacts ◽  
The Earth ◽  
Lunar Craters ◽  
The Impact

The phenomena accompanying the impact of large meteorites on the surface of the Moon or of the Earth can be examined on the basis of the theory of explosive phenomena if we assume that, instead of an exploding meteorite moving inside the rock, we have an explosive charge (equivalent in energy), situated at a certain distance under the surface.

The Origin of the Moon

1962 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
pp. 149-155 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. L. Ruskol
Keyword(s):  
Chemical Composition ◽  
Solar System ◽  
The Moon ◽  
The Earth ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Origin Of The Moon

The difference between average densities of the Moon and Earth was interpreted in the preceding report by Professor H. Urey as indicating a difference in their chemical composition. Therefore, Urey assumes the Moon's formation to have taken place far away from the Earth, under conditions differing substantially from the conditions of Earth's formation. In such a case, the Earth should have captured the Moon. As is admitted by Professor Urey himself, such a capture is a very improbable event. In addition, an assumption that the “lunar” dimensions were representative of protoplanetary bodies in the entire solar system encounters great difficulties.

The Origin of the Moon and its Relationship to the Origin of the Solar System

1962 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
pp. 133-148 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harold C. Urey
Keyword(s):  
Solar System ◽  
The Moon ◽  
The Past ◽  
The Earth ◽  
Short Period ◽  
Origin Of The Moon

During the last 10 years, the writer has presented evidence indicating that the Moon was captured by the Earth and that the large collisions with its surface occurred within a surprisingly short period of time. These observations have been a continuous preoccupation during the past years and some explanation that seemed physically possible and reasonably probable has been sought.

A Photographic Map of the Moon

1962 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
pp. 113-115
Author(s):  
D. W. G. Arthur ◽  
E. A. Whitaker
Keyword(s):  
Lunar Surface ◽  
The Moon ◽  
Map Projection

The cartography of the lunar surface can be split into two operations which can be carried on quite independently. The first, which is also the most laborious, is the interpretation of the lunar photographs into the symbolism of the map, with the addition of fine details from telescopic sketches. An example of this kind of work is contained in Johann Krieger'sMond Atlaswhich consists of photographic enlargements in which Krieger has sharpened up the detail to accord with his telescopic impressions. Krieger did not go on either to convert the photographic picture into the line symbolism of a map, or to place this picture on any definite map projection.

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