The Lunar Seismic Network (LuSeN) Mission: The Need for Compact, Robust, Long-Lived Power Supplies.

Details The Lunar Seismic Network (LuSeN) Mission: The Need for Compact, Robust, Long-Lived Power Supplies. The Lunar Seismic Network (LuSeN) Mission: The Need for Compact, Robust, Long-Lived Power Supplies.

Dec 2005

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2005agufm.p51c0933n&link_type=abstract

American Geophysical Union, Fall Meeting 2005, abstract #P51C-0933

Mathematics

Logic

1221 Lunar And Planetary Geodesy And Gravity (5417, 5450, 5714, 5744, 6019, 6250), 5430 Interiors (8147), 5475 Tectonics (8149), 5494 Instruments And Techniques, 6250 Moon (1221)

Scientific paper

The Apollo seismic experiment established a network of four seismometers on the lunar nearside at the Apollo 12, 14, 15 and 16 landing sites that was in operation for 8 years (1969-1977). During this time, four different types of moonquakes were recognized and although originally thought to be tectonically dead, the recorded activity showed that lunar seismicity was about equal to that of intraplate settings on Earth. However, the limited spatial coverage of this network has left many unanswered questions, such as: 1) What is the structure and thickness of the crust on the lunar near and far sides? Are crustal structure changes gradational or are distinct domains present? What is the nature of the hypothesized lunar core? What are the mineralogic transitions present in the lunar mantle? Is there a Moon-wide ~500 km discontinuity (magmasphere vs. magma ocean)? Are the core and mantle completely solid or do plastic zones still persist? Are nests producing periodic deep Moonquakes present on the far side? The Lunar Seismic Network (LuSeN) mission concept establishes a modest network of 8-10 seismometers deployed around the Moon with an orbiting communications satellite. Like the Apollo seismic experiment, these seismometers need to be continuously recording and be active for 5-7 years in order to record enough seismic events to establish where the most seismically active areas are in the Moon, as well as answer the scientific questions outlined above. Mass considerations preclude establishing a network of this size using conventional battery and solar power supplies: a compact, robust radionuclear power supply is needed for each seismometer. Given the new emphasis on the Moon, results from the LuSeN mission will be relevant for the establishing a Moon base in a seismically passive (safe) region and one that has a low probability of receiving a sizable meteoroid impact. In addition, the LuSeN mission will also use the Moon as a technology test bed for establishing seismometer arrays on other planets and moons as we go to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

The Lunar Seismic Network (LuSeN) Mission: The Need for Compact, Robust, Long-Lived Power Supplies. does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with The Lunar Seismic Network (LuSeN) Mission: The Need for Compact, Robust, Long-Lived Power Supplies., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and The Lunar Seismic Network (LuSeN) Mission: The Need for Compact, Robust, Long-Lived Power Supplies. will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-750742