Annual Meeting of the Lunar Exploration Analysis Group (2016) 5076.pdf

COST EFFECTIVE MISSION STRATEGY FOR LUNAR SAMPLE RETURN MISSION PROBE G. Nadar1, U. B. Shah1, A. Kothandhapani1, N. K. Singh1, N. S. Hegde1 1TeamIndus - Axiom Research Labs Pvt Ltd ([email protected], , Karnataka - 560092)

Introduction: The intent of this paper is to illus- After collecting the Lunar sample, the return mod- trate the importance of lunar sample return mission and ule will ascent and inject into Geo-transfer trajectory to come up with a cost effective strategy that will shed leaving behind the Lander and the Orbiter. The mission light on the utilization of potential resources on the objective is three-folds: (i) surface operations, (ii) lunar lunar surface. These resources could enable sustainable orbit operations, and (iii) sample return. The surface exploration of the and may eventually suffice the and orbit operations will continue even after return requirements for terrestrial application. We propose a module ascent. lunar sample return mission, targeting the Malapert Advantages of proposed strategy for Lunar Sample located in the lunar south pole. The Sun moves 1.5° Return [2] are (i) ascent into a circular orbit after col- with respect to lunar equator and a landing site at southern hemi-sphere will have Sun towards the North and vice-versa for a site in northern hemisphere. Mala- pert mountain has height of about 5000 meters and can be considered as abundance of sunlight for carrying out critical surface operations [1]. The mission is config- ured with the following module system: (i) Orbiter, (ii) Lander, and (iii) Lunar Sample return module. Mission Profile: The Orbiter, Lander and the Lu- nar Sample Return module will be launched as a com- posite stack and injected into Lunar Transfer Trajecto- lecting the lunar sample will increase the injection ry by . Lunar Orbit insertion maneuver can be window for Lunar Sample Return Module back to carried out so that the Lander and Orbiter stack gets Earth; (ii) this strategy will be cost effective as multiple captured by the Moon into a stable orbit. Post-capture mission objectives can be achieved with the lander the Lander and Orbiter along with lunar return module which will be left behind along with the Orbiter; (iii) will be injected into circular orbit of 100 km. In the the Perigee altitude targeted for Lunar sample re-entry circular orbit, high resolution images acquired by will minimize Mission Delta-V requirements; (iv) the Lander and the Orbiter will be transmitted to the Mission Duration until the sample return will be mini- ground to precisely locate the landing site. Once the mized taking into consideration Sun-Earth-Moon ge- conditions for lunar descent has been achieved the ometry; (v) multiple robotic assets on the lander will lander will be separated from the Orbiter with the help carry out various lunar experiments. of its propulsion system. The Landing phase starts with Conclusion: A cost effective strategy for lunar a small de-orbit maneuver at 100 km circular orbit. sample return is de-signed which will provide vital When Lander reaches the perilune, powered descent knowledge regarding lunar south pole regions. Other strategies to investigate lunar surface via orbital remote sensing or through Impact related modules cannot suf- fice timely and unassailable requirements to investigate suitability for human exploration in the south pole landing region. This strategy for Lunar Sample return mission will offer the potential of returning at least 10 kg of precision targeted lunar materials from Malapert at a pre-defined location. References: [1] Lemelin M. et al (2014) High- priority lunar landing sites for in-situ and sample re- turn studies of polar volatiles, [2] Duke M.B. (2003) Colorado School of Mines, Center for thee Commercial will be initiated by with the help of autonomous navi- Application of Combustion in Space, Sample Return gation and guidance. The Orbiter and Lander will carry from Lunar South Pole-Aitken Basin. out scientific experiments after reaching its intended location.