Physics – Optics
Scientific paper
Dec 2011
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2011agufm.p11i..08c&link_type=abstract
American Geophysical Union, Fall Meeting 2011, abstract #P11I-08
Physics
Optics
[0649] Electromagnetics / Optics, [1026] Geochemistry / Composition Of The Moon, [6250] Planetary Sciences: Solar System Objects / Moon, [9805] General Or Miscellaneous / Instruments Useful In Three Or More Fields
Scientific paper
The unique science results addressing the interior of the moon that have been produced by the Lunar Laser Ranging Program (LLRP) to date will be described. While the Apollo retroreflector arrays are still operation and continue to produce new science results, the combination of the lunar librations and the design of the arrays currently limit the range accuracy obtained for each single photo-electron return to ~20 mm. A next generation lunar retroreflector (e.g., the Lunar Laser Ranging Retroreflector for the 21st Century or LLRRA-21) holds promise for great improvements in the existing values on the interior properties and the expectation of addressing new discoveries (e.g., the solid inner core). The magnitude of these improvements for this next generation science will depend critically on the method of deployment of the LLRRA-21. The various methods of robotic deployment, especially those that can be supported by the Google Lunar X Prize flights that will occur in the next couple of years will be reviewed. The resultant expected ranging accuracies associated with each method of deployment (i.e., the improvement with respect to current ranging accuracy by a factor of 10 to 200) and the implied limiting physics will be addressed. the expected magnitude of the return signal for a candidate thermal design and the relation to the optical/thermal simulations and thermal/vacuum testing that support these estimates, will be briefly describes. This expected signal return will be similar to signal return that is currently being obtained from the Apollo 15 array, so we can evaluate the capability of various ground stations to conduct regular ranging programs. The next generation lunar laser retroreflector also has very significant implications for the number of ground stations that can contribute and the frequency of observations what would be available for the science analysis. Finally, the lifetime issues related to the Apollo arrays and the projection to the current design of the LLRRA-21 will be discussed.
Currie Douglas G.
Llrra-21/Moonlight Team
Zacny Kris
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