DOCSLIB.ORG

Lava Tube Analog Mission for Lunar Science and Human Performance Studies Samuel W

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text

Load more

Lava Tube Analog Mission for Lunar Science and Human Performance Studies Samuel W. Ximenes1 and A. A. Mardon2, G. Baiden3, G. R. Osinski4, N. Ghafoor5, C. S. Dickinson5, O. Gurtuna6, A. Prévot6, M. G. Daly7. 1Exploration Architecture Corporation (XArc), 303 W. Sunset Rd. Ste. 108, San Antonio, TX 78209, USA, [email protected], 2Antarctic Institute of Canada, Post Office Box 1223, Station Main, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T5B 2W4, [email protected], 3Penguin Automated Systems, Inc., Naughton, Ontario, Canada, [email protected], 4University of Western Ontario, Center for Planetary Science and Exploration, 1151 Richmond Street, London, Ontario, Canada N6A 5B7, [email protected], 5MDA, 9445 Airport Rd., Bampton, Ontario, Canada L6S 4J3, [email protected], [email protected], 6Turquoise Technology Solutions, Inc., 4999 St. Catherine West, Suite 540 Westmount, Canada, QC H3Z 1T3, [email protected], [email protected], 7York University, Department of Earth and Space Science & Engineering , Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M3J 1P3, [email protected]. SIMULATIONSIMULATION OF OF ROBOTIC ROBOTIC AND AND HUMAN HUMAN “FIRST “FIRST CONTACT” CONTACT” WITH WITH A A LUNAR LUNAR LAVA LAVA TUBE TUBE SCIENCE Skylight Discovered at Nisga’a Lava Tube Human & Robotic Performance TECHNOLOGY Moon’s Marius Hills Region Entrance Assessments at Analog Site Lunar Geology simulated Applied Technologies and • Understanding the volcanic Technology Development history of the Moon • Robotic and autonomous • Access to fresh outcrops of mobile systems volcanic rock for analysis and • Spectral analysis sampling (i.e., rocks not • Laser measurement systems affected by space weathering for cave profiling and or micrometeorite mapping bombardment) • Pressurization techniques • Understanding the geologic • Human factors and radiation processes associated with protection ancient lunar basaltic lava • Navigation & communications flows • Logistics • Understanding the changes • Science instruments in composition of layered lava • Photo/video/vision systems flow sequences • 3D visualization Astrobiology for Mars • Structures & materials Exploration Applications • EVA suit mobility testing • Understanding the volcanic • Power and lighting • Program management tools history of Mars 1st Human Expedition to a Nisga’a Lava Tube Analog Cave Profiling Technology for Lunar • Access to fresh, dust-free (NASA Image) Technology outcrops of volcanic rock Lunar Lava Tube Site Habitation/Science Research Commercialization • Understanding the potential • Technology application to of lava tubes as habitats for courtesy Natural Resources Canada other subterranean life environments on Earth & • Test hypotheses and other planetary bodies understand biogeochemical • Security, civil construction, processes, & the signatures public safety and mining that these processes leave in applications mineral deposits • Potential for access to permafrost and ground ice without drilling HUMAN PERFORMANCE In-Situ Monitoring Of Human REMOTE SENSING Health & Performance • Improve understanding of the Remote Sensing Tools and Analog Site at Nisga’a Memorial Lava Bed Park in British Columbia, Canada biological, psychological and GIS Applications social effects of stress in an • Improvements in remote ICE (Isolated, Confined, and sensing and detection The recent discovery by the science team of the Japanese Kaguya lunar sensing satellite of a Extreme) environment technologies such as ground “skylight” or cave opening in the area of the Moon’s Marius Hills region is a potentially important find • Model human decision- penetrating radar for the existence of intact lunar lava tubes. This discovery raises the specter of investigative science making process and personal • Use of Geographic and social information focusing remote sensing efforts for planning robotic and eventually human expeditions to these processing Information Systems (GIS), subsurface environments for in situ investigations. geo-spatial analysis, GPS, • Investigate the emotional and traverse planning tools The operational scenarios, technologies, and human and robotic performance feats associated with needs of crews related to workload stress, isolation, planetary cave exploration can be benefited by terrestrial analog mission testbeds. and human/robotic Certain geomorphologic features found at the Nisga’a Memorial Lava Bed Park in British Columbia, interactions FLEXIBLE PATH MISSION Canada can serve as a terrestrial analog site for science research and testing of mission operations • Develop methods to measure to lunar subsurface sites. We propose an analog mission investigating required science and evaluate human Candidate Destination for performance and behavior on NASA Flexible Path Mission measurements with human performance objectives simulating robotic and human “first contact” with long-duration missions Planning a lunar lava tube. The proposed geographic location for conducting the analog studies is within the • Scientific expedition to Marius protected area of the Nisga’a Lava Bed in proximity to the Tseax River Cone or Aiyansh Volcano Hills Skylight offers mission of where unmapped lava tubes exist. opportunity which satisfies TEAM STRUCTURE many goals of NASA’s newly Scope and Objectives of the Research: The idea is to get some understanding of first robotic and revised exploration direction: human contact with a lunar lava tube through the use of comparable terrestrial lava tube features. - Terrestrial analog phase Basic scientific understanding of the features is necessary to locate them on the Moon as well as - Robotic lunar precursor techniques of entering and examining them robotically and by astronauts. phase - Human lunar return phase Proposed Methodology: Essentially we simulate a first scientific expedition to a lunar lava tube. By - New technology simulating missions to the features on Earth researchers can better understand direction and development techniques of exploration of those features on the Moon. An international team of planetary - International participants scientists, caving and mining experts, robotic experts, and human performance experts has been - Knowledge gained for Mars assembled to investigate the best path for technology development and how sampling and science planetary cave exploration - Participatory exploration can be done on the lunar surface and underground. - Commercialization opportunities.
Recommended publications
  • New Candidate Pits and Caves at High Latitudes on the Near Side of the Moon

    New Candidate Pits and Caves at High Latitudes on the Near Side of the Moon

    52nd Lunar and Planetary Science Conference 2021 (LPI Contrib. No. 2548) 2733.pdf NEW CANDIDATE PITS AND CAVES AT HIGH LATITUDES ON THE NEAR SIDE OF THE MOON. 1,2 1,3,4 1 2 Wynnie Avent II and Pascal Lee ,​ S​ ETI Institute, Mountain View, VA, USA, V​ irginia Polytechnic Institute ​ ​ ​ 3 4 ​ and State University Blacksburg, VA, USA. M​ ars Institute, N​ ASA Ames Research Center. ​ ​ Summary: 35 new candidate pits are identified ​ in Anaxagoras and Philolaus, two high-latitude impact structures on the near side of the Moon. Introduction: Since the discovery in 2009 of the Marius Hills Pit (Haruyama et al. 2009), a.k.a. the “Haruyama Cavern”, over 300 hundred pits have been identified on the Moon (Wagner & Robinson 2014, Robinson & Wagner 2018). Lunar pits are small (10 to 150 m across), steep-walled, negative relief features (topographic depressions), surrounded by funnel-shaped outer slopes and, unlike impact craters, no raised rim. They are interpreted as collapse features resulting from the fall of the roof of shallow (a few Figure 1: Location of studied craters (Polar meters deep) subsurface voids, generally lava cavities. projection). Although pits on the Moon are found in mare basalt, impact melt deposits, and highland terrain of the >300 Methods: Like previous studies searching for pits pits known, all but 16 are in impact melts (Robinson & (Wagner & Robinson 2014, Robinson & Wagner 2018, Wagner 2018). Many pits are likely lava tube skylights, Lee 2018a,b,c), we used imaging data collected by the providing access to underground networks of NASA Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) Narrow tunnel-shaped caves, including possibly complex Angle Camera (NAC).
  • EPSC-DPS2011-1845, 2011 EPSC-DPS Joint Meeting 2011 C Author(S) 2011

    EPSC-DPS2011-1845, 2011 EPSC-DPS Joint Meeting 2011 C Author(S) 2011

    EPSC Abstracts Vol. 6, EPSC-DPS2011-1845, 2011 EPSC-DPS Joint Meeting 2011 c Author(s) 2011 Analysis of mineralogy of an effusive volcanic lunar dome in Marius Hills, Oceanus Procellarum. A.S. Arya, Guneshwar Thangjam, R.P. Rajasekhar, Ajai Space Applications Centre, Indian Space Research Organization, Ahmedabad-380 015 (India). Email:[email protected] Abstract found on the lunar surface. As a part of initiation of the study of mineralogy of MHC, an effusive dome Domes are analogous to the terrestrial shield located in the south of Rima Galilaei, near the volcanoes and are among the important volcanic contact of Imbrian and Eratosthenian geological units features found on the lunar surface indicative of is taken up for the present study. The morphology, effusive vents of primary volcanism within Mare rheology and the possible dike parameters have regions. Marius Hills Complex (MHC) is one of the already been studied and reported [5]. most important regions on the entire lunar surface, having a complex geological setting and largest distribution of volcanic constructs with an abundant number of volcanic features like domes, cones and rilles. The mineralogical study of an effusive dome located in the south of Rima Galilaei, near the contact of Imbrian and Eratosthenian geological units is done using hyperspectral band parameters and spectral plots so as to understand the compositional variation, the nature of the volcanism and relate it to the rheology of the dome. Fig. 1: Distribution of dome in MHC (Red-the dome under study, Green- from Virtual Moon Atlas, Magenta [6]) and the Study area showing the dome under study on M3 1.
  • A Guideline for a Sustainable Lunar Base Design for Constructed in Lunar Lava Tubes and Their Vertical Skylights

    A Guideline for a Sustainable Lunar Base Design for Constructed in Lunar Lava Tubes and Their Vertical Skylights

    50th International Conference on Environmental Systems ICES-2021-186 12-15 July 2021 A Guideline for a Sustainable Lunar Base Design for Constructed in Lunar Lava Tubes and Their Vertical Skylights Masato Sakurai1, Asuka Shima2, Isao Kawano3, Junichi Haruyama4 Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Chofu-shi, Tokyo, 182-8522, Japan. and Hiroyuki Miyajima5 International University of Health and Welfare, Narita Campus 1, 4-3, Kōzunomori, Narita, Chiba, 286-8686 Japan The lunar surface is a hostile environment subject to harmful radiation and meteorite impacts. A recently discovered lava tube avoids these risks and, as it undergoes only slight temperature changes, it is a promising location for constructing a lunar base. JAXA engages in research in regenerative ECLSS (Environmental Control Life Support Systems), particularly addressing water and air recycling and treating organic waste. Overcoming these challenges is essential for long-term lunar habitation. This paper presents a guideline for a sustainable lunar base design. Nomenclature ECLSS = Environmental Control Life Support System HTV = H-II Transfer Vehicle ISS = International Space Station JAXA = Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency JSASS = Japan Society for Aeronautical and Space Science MHH = Marius Hills Hole MIH = Mare Ingenii Hole MTH = Mare Tranquillitatis Hole SELENE = Selenological and Engineering Explorer UZUME = Unprecedented Zipangu Underworld of the Moon Exploration (name of the research group for vertical holes) SDGs = Sustainable Development Goals SELENE = Selenological and Engineering Explorer I. Introduction uture space exploration will extend beyond low Earth orbit and dramatically expand in scope. In particular, F industrial activities are planned for the Moon with the development of infrastructure that includes lunar bases. This paper summarizes our study of the construction of a crewed permanent settlement, which will be essential to support long-term habitation, resource utilization, and industrial activities on the Moon.
  • Analysis of Lava Tubes and Skylights in the Lunar Exploration Context

    Analysis of Lava Tubes and Skylights in the Lunar Exploration Context

    EPSC Abstracts Vol. 7 EPSC2012-632-1 2012 European Planetary Science Congress 2012 EEuropeaPn PlanetarSy Science CCongress c Author(s) 2012 Analysis of Lava Tubes and Skylights in the Lunar Exploration Context E. Martellato, B. Foing, J. Benkhoff ESA/ESTEC, Keplerlaan 1, 2201 Noordwijk ZH, The Netherlands (corresponding author: [email protected], [email protected]) collapsed sections of roofs ([6]). Skylights could Abstract originate as enlargement of pre-existing fractures, for instance following a moonquake ([8]), or as The past and current scientific activities related to the incompleting crusting over the melted lava flow (e.g., future robotic and human exploration of the Moon [4]), or as collapse of the lava tubes ceiling caused by have stressed the importance of lava tubes as random meteoroids impacts (e.g., [6]). convenient settlements in an inhospitable planet, providing a natural shielding to a variety of natural 2. Observations hazards with minimizing costs of the construction of manned bases. The detection of lava tubes could be In our analysis, we consider two skylights candidates favoured by the presence of skylights, which also detected by the Terrain Camera onboard the Japanese represent a way to access to these underground orbiter SELenological and Engineering Explorer structures. In this context, we analyze one of the (SELENE) ([9], [10]), and then observed at higher proposed mechanism of skylights formation, that is resolution by Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera random impacts craters, by comparing crater- (LROC) onboard the NASA spacecraft Lunar geometry argumentations ([11]) with numerical Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) ([2]). modelling outcomes. A first pit is located on the Marius Hills region 1.
  • GRAIL-Identified Gravity Anomalies In

    GRAIL-Identified Gravity Anomalies In

    Solar System Exploration Division, GSFC Code 690 GRAIL-identified gravity anomalies in Oceanus Procellarum: Insight into subsurface impact and volcanic/magmatic structures on the Moon Ariel N. Deutsch1, Gregory A. Neumann2, James W. Head1 1Department of Earth, Environmental and Planetary Sciences, Brown University, 2NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Introduction: Lunar gravity anomalies. Positive Bouguer gravity anomalies. • Four distinctive positive Bouguer gravity anomalies are • Previous work has suggested that these four positive gravity anomalies may be due to: -Subsurface volcanic sills [2]. • New, higher-resolution GRAIL data [3] allow for the re- analysis of these anomalies. • Understanding the subsurface density structures that contribute to these anomalies is important in order to discuss regional impact and volcanic histories, and the evolution of the lunar crust in Oceanus Procellarum. Objectives. 1. Constrain subsurface structures that contribute to the . four positive Bouguer gravity anomalies. 2. Discuss the hidden impact and volcanic histories of . the Moon. Methods. Results: Filled and buried impact craters. RESULTS: MANTLE UPWELLING • Six geologic end-member scenarios are explored to 20 200 1. Filled and Buried Impact 2. Southern Aristarchus Plateau analyze the four observed gravitational anomalies. 15 Model 3 10 GRAIL 100 • Impact crater parameters [e.g., 4] are estimated to C Gravity 5 B from uplift Gravity from A 0 0 km -3 km km ρ = 3150 kg m -5 mGal mGal • Analyses of the generation, ascent, and eruption of -3 mGal ρ = 2800 kg m crater -10 Surface topography -100 -3 of subsurface magmatic structures and also the . -15 ∆ρ = 600 kg m Highland crust -20 -200 Mantle interpretation of surface volcanic features.
  • Determining the Structural Stability of Lunar Lava Tubes

    Determining the Structural Stability of Lunar Lava Tubes

    46th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference (2015) 2174.pdf DETERMINING THE STRUCTURAL STABILITY OF LUNAR LAVA TUBES. D. M. Blair1*, L. Chappaz2, R. Sood2, C. Milbury1, H. J. Melosh1, K. C. Howell2, and A. M. Freed1. 1,* Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA, [email protected]; 2School of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA. Introduction: Recent in-depth analysis of lunar wider lava tube or a thinner roof, but do not quantify gravity data from the Gravity Recovery And Interior what difference an arched roof would make. Laboratory (GRAIL) spacecraft has suggested the In caves on Earth that occur in bedded rock, failure possibility of lava tubes on the Moon with diameters in of the cave’s roof tends to occur one bed at a time, excess of 1 km [1, 2]. Could such features be progressing upwards [9]. This means that the structurally stable? What is the theoretical maximum mechanical “roof thickness” of a lava tube should be size of a lunar lava tube? Here we attempt to address considered to be the thickness of the flows that form those questions and improve on prior estimates of the the roof and not the total depth at which the tube is same by using modern numerical modeling techniques. buried. Lava flows thicknesses on the moon vary over Background: The presence of sublunarean voids a broad range, from 1–14 m in the skylights in Mare has recently been confirmed via the observation of Tranquilitatis and elsewhere [5] to ~80–600 m in "skylights" in several lunar maria [3, 4, 5].
  • GRAIL-Identified Gravity Anomalies in Oceanus Procellarum: Insight Into 2 Subsurface Impact and Magmatic Structures on the Moon 3 4 Ariel N

    GRAIL-Identified Gravity Anomalies in Oceanus Procellarum: Insight Into 2 Subsurface Impact and Magmatic Structures on the Moon 3 4 Ariel N

    1 GRAIL-identified gravity anomalies in Oceanus Procellarum: Insight into 2 subsurface impact and magmatic structures on the Moon 3 4 Ariel N. Deutscha, Gregory A. Neumannb, James W. Heada, Lionel Wilsona,c 5 6 aDepartment of Earth, Environmental and Planetary Sciences, Brown University, Providence, RI 7 02912, USA 8 bNASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD 20771, USA 9 cLancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YQ, UK 10 11 Corresponding author: Ariel N. Deutsch 12 Corresponding email: [email protected] 13 14 Date of re-submission: 5 April 2019 15 16 Re-submitted to: Icarus 17 Manuscript number: ICARUS_2018_549 18 19 Highlights: 20 • Four positive Bouguer gravity anomalies are analyzed on the Moon’s nearside. 21 • The amplitudes of the anomalies require a deep density contrast. 22 • One 190-km anomaly with crater-related topography is suggestive of mantle uplift. 23 • Marius Hills anomalies are consistent with intruded dike swarms. 24 • An anomaly south of Aristarchus has a crater rim and possibly magmatic intrusions. 25 26 Key words: 27 Moon; gravity; impact cratering; volcanism 1 28 Abstract 29 30 Four, quasi-circular, positive Bouguer gravity anomalies (PBGAs) that are similar in diameter 31 (~90–190 km) and gravitational amplitude (>140 mGal contrast) are identified within the central 32 Oceanus Procellarum region of the Moon. These spatially associated PBGAs are located south of 33 Aristarchus Plateau, north of Flamsteed crater, and two are within the Marius Hills volcanic 34 complex (north and south). Each is characterized by distinct surface geologic features suggestive 35 of ancient impact craters and/or volcanic/plutonic activity.
  • Development and Field Testing of Moonraker: a Four-Wheel Rover in Minimal Design

    Development and Field Testing of Moonraker: a Four-Wheel Rover in Minimal Design

    Development and Field Testing of Moonraker: a Four-Wheel Rover in Minimal Design Kazuya Yoshida*, Nathan Britton*, John Walker* *Dept. of Aerospace Engineering, Tohoku University, Japan e-mail: yoshida, nathan, [email protected] Abstract A light-weight, four-wheel rover was developed as a research test platform for a low cost lunar exploration that could be conducted commercially near future. The name of the platform is MoonRaker, The purpose of the Moon- Raker development is investigate control techniques and physical performance for a lunar rover with minimal size, such as less than 10 kg. In this paper, the authors de- scribe the design, development and field testing results of the MoonRaker project. 1 Introduction In the Space Robotics Laboratory, Tohoku University, Japan, we developed a light-weight, four-wheel rover as Figure 1. An image of a lava tube skylight, a research test platform for a low cost lunar exploration Marius Hills Hole acquired by Lunar that could be conducted commercially near future. As a Reconnaissance Orbiter Narrow Angle case study, the requirements for the Google Lunar X-Prize Camera (M122584310LE). (GLXP) is considered. In the GLXP, more-than-500 m of traverse across the surface of the Moon and transmission of high quality video images to the Earth are set as the ing for water ice or Helium-3, But one of the most exciting minimum requirements [1]. targets for lunar exploration is potential caves on the sur- ffi As a technical partner of Team Hakuto, an o cial face of the moon. team of the GLXP challenge in Japan, the Space Robotics In recent years, researchers have speculated that un- Laboratory has been working on the development of mo- derground tubes or caves, similar to those found on Earth bile robots (rovers) for wheel-based traverse on the lunar in volcanic areas, may exist on the moon.
  • Detection of Buried Empty Lunar Lava Tubes Using Grail Gravity Data

    Detection of Buried Empty Lunar Lava Tubes Using Grail Gravity Data

    47th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference (2016) 1509.pdf DETECTION OF BURIED EMPTY LUNAR LAVA TUBES USING GRAIL GRAVITY DATA. R. Sood1, L. Chappaz1, H. J. Melosh1,2, K. C. Howell1, and C. Milbury2. 1School of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Purdue Uni- versity, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, [email protected], 2Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Science, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907. Introduction: As a part of NASA's Discovery Program, the Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) spacecraft were launched in September 2011. The sister spacecraft, Ebb and Flow, mapped lunar gravity to an unprecedented precision [1]. High resolu- tion data is currently being utilized to gain a greater understanding of the Moon's interior. Through gravita- tional analysis of the Moon, subsurface features, such as potential buried empty lava tubes, have also been detected [2]. Lava tubes are of interest as possible hu- man habitation sites safe from cosmic radiation, mi- crometeorite impacts and temperature extremes. The existence of such natural caverns is now supported by Kaguya's discoveries [3] of deep pits that may poten- tially be openings to empty lava tubes. In the current investigation, GRAIL gravity data collected at different altitudes is utilized to detect the presence and extent of candidate empty lava tubes beneath the surface of the Figure 1: Free-air and Bouguer cross-correlation maps lunar maria. and free-air/Bouguer correlation along with regional Detection Strategy: Previous work done by Chap- topography in the vicinity of Marius Hills skylight. paz et al., (2014) makes use of two detection strategies based on gradiometry and cross-correlation to detect rrelation between free-air and Bouguer maps where a subsurface features.
  • Detection of Lunar Lava Tubes by Lunar Radar Sounder Onboard Selene (Kaguya)

    Detection of Lunar Lava Tubes by Lunar Radar Sounder Onboard Selene (Kaguya)

    Lunar and Planetary Science XLVIII (2017) 1711.pdf DETECTION OF LUNAR LAVA TUBES BY LUNAR RADAR SOUNDER ONBOARD SELENE (KAGUYA). J. Haruyama1, T. Kaku1,2, R. Shinoda1,2, W. Miyake2, A. Kumamoto3, K. Ishiyama1, T. Nishibori1, K. Yamamoto1, K. Kurosawa4, A.I. Suzuki1, S.T. Crites1, T. Michikami5, Y. Yokota6, R. Sood7, H. J. Melosh7,8, L. Chappaz, K.C. Howell. 1Institute of Space and Astronautical Science, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (3-1-1 Yoshinodai, Chuo-ku, Sagamihara, Kanagawa 252-5210, Japan), 2Engineering Department, Tokai Universi- ty, 3Science Department, Tohoku University, 4Planetary Exploration Research Center, Chiba Institute of Technolo- gy, 5Faculty of Engineering, Kindai University, 6Faculty of Science, Kochi University, 7School of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Purdue University, 8Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Science, Purdue University . E- Mail:haruyama.junichi_at_jaxa.jp (change “_at_” to @). Introduction: In 2009, three huge pits were dis- aperture radar (SAR) processing[9] with a synthetic covered on the Moon in image data acquired by the aperture of 5 km. The data set is available via the SELENE Terrain Camera. Their diameters and depths JAXA/SELENE (Kaguya) data archive.[10] are several tens of meters or more.[1-3] They are possi- Results: Figure 1 shows an A-scan diagram (pow- ble skylight holes opening on large subsurface caverns ers of received echo vs elevation of subsurface reflect- such as lava tubes, [1] by analogy with similar pits found ing the echo). The echo power was normalized to be on Mars.[4] This possibility was enhanced significantly zero dB for a standard surface echo level, and to be 0 by LRO oblique observations; large openings were km in elevation for the mean radius of 1737.4 km.
  • Technologies Enabling Exploration of Skylights, Lava Tubes and Caves

    Technologies Enabling Exploration of Skylights, Lava Tubes and Caves

    Technologies Enabling Exploration of Skylights, Lava Tubes and Caves NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) Phase I FOR OFFICE OF THE CHIEF TECHNOLOGIST NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION GRANT NUMBER: NNX11AR42G AWARD DATE: SEPTEMBER 15, 2011 END DATE: SEPTEMBER 14, 2012 FINAL REPORT BY ASTROBOTIC TECHNOLOGY 4551 FORBES AVE #300 PITTSBURGH, PA 15213-3524 WILLIAM WHITTAKER, PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR Abstract Robotic exploration of skylights and caves can seek out life, investigate geology and origins, and open the subsurface of other worlds to humankind. However, exploration of these features is a daunting venture. Planetary voids present perilous terrain that requires innovative technologies for access, exploration, and modeling. This research developed technologies for venturing underground and conceived mission architectures for robotic expeditions that explore skylights, lava tubes and caves. The investigation identified effective designs for mobile robot architecture to explore sub-planetary features. Results provide insight into mission architectures, skylight reconnaissance and modeling, robot configuration and operations, and subsurface sensing and modeling. These are developed as key enablers for robotic missions to explore planetary caves. These results are compiled to generate “Spelunker”, a prototype mission concept to explore a lunar skylight and cave. The Spelunker mission specifies safe landing on the rim of a skylight, tethered descent of a power and communications hub, and autonomous cave exploration by hybrid
  • D a R K N E S S V I S I B L E : I N S T R U M E N Tat

    D a R K N E S S V I S I B L E : I N S T R U M E N Tat

    DARKNESS VISIBLE: INSTRUMENTATION AND THERMAL DESIGN TO ACCESS THE HIDDEN MOON Jeffrey E. Van Cleve1, Jonathan D. 1 2 In poetic language, people often talk about “The Dark Side of the Moon,” while their astronomical meaning is the “Far Side of the Moon.” In this workshop, we are literally discussing the dark Weinberg , Clive R. Neal , Richard 3 1 Moon – the entire Moon during the 14-day lunar night at the equator, and the regions of eternal darkness in polar craters that are rich in volatiles1 which may be rich in volatiles for use as C. Elphic , Gary Mills , Kevin resources, and as a valuable record of the Moon’s history. The dark Moon has been hidden for most of the history of spaceflight, as no human missions and few robotic missions have persisted Weed1, David Glaister1 through even one lunar night, and no missions whatsoever have landed in the permanently-shadowed regions. In this poster, we discuss “Night” mission concepts, previously developed by the 1 authors with NASA funding, that remain directly relevant to NASA robotic and human science and exploration of the Moon - a long-lived (> 6 y) lunar geophysical network and a Discovery-class Ball Aerospace, Boulder CO mission for the in-situ investigation of volatiles in the lunar polar cold traps. We also discuss Ball instrument and thermal technology enabling survival, situational awareness, and operations in 2Notre Dame the dark Moon, including low-light and thermal cameras, flash lidars, advanced multi-layer insulation (MLI), and phase-change material “hockey pucks” that can damp out thermal transients to 3 help moving platforms scuttle through dark regions for 24 h or so on their way between illuminated area such as “the peaks of eternal light” near the lunar south pole, without expending NASA-Ames precious stored electrical power for heat.