Determining Optimal Lunar Polar Landing Sites Based on Illumination Simulations

Details Determining Optimal Lunar Polar Landing Sites Based on Illumination Simulations Determining Optimal Lunar Polar Landing Sites Based on Illumination Simulations

Dec 2011

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2011agufm.p13h..03b&link_type=abstract

American Geophysical Union, Fall Meeting 2011, abstract #P13H-03

Physics

[5462] Planetary Sciences: Solid Surface Planets / Polar Regions, [6250] Planetary Sciences: Solar System Objects / Moon

Scientific paper

The Moon's spin axis results in illumination conditions near the poles that can be highly favorable for surface operations, permitting missions far in excess of the 14 days that would occur for an equatorial mission. High resolution lunar topography data, yielded by NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter's LOLA instrument is permitting very detailed analyses of these polar illumination conditions. These analyses help to locate the ideal landing sites for future lander missions. By comparing illumination simulations with actual images we are able to determine that the fidelity of these topography data is such that we can accurately simulate the illumination conditions for all solar positions. This enables us to determine several key parameters relating to landing site selection. These include the length of time that a site is constantly illuminated around mid summer, the length of time of the longest shadowed period, and the effect of missing the ideal landing site and landing a short distance away. We also calculate the locations of permanent shadow, that could harbor ice deposits. Additionally we are able to investigate the benefits of placing solar arrays on different height masts. We find that even a modest mast can greatly improve the value of these key parameters. We have located the ideal landing sites near both polar regions.

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