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Training for Lunar Surface Operations
Full text linkArtemis lunar surface operations require the development and implementation of skills not utilized since Apollo. Here we review the skills and the protocols subsequently developed for a new generation of explorers engaged in longer duration missions and sustained lunar operations.David A. Kring, Ph.D., Center for Lunar Science and Exploration, Lunar and Planetary Institute, Universities Space Research Association, Houston, Texas, Chris A. Looper, Space Exploration Division, Johnson Space Center, Houston, Texas, Zane A. Ney, Flight Operations Division, Johnson Space Center, Houston, Texas, Barbara A. Janoiko, Exploration Mission Planning Office, Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX ; with foreword by Gerry Griffin, Former Apollo Flight Director, Former Director, NASA Lyndon B. Johnson Space Cente
Using boulder tracks as a tool to understand the bearing capacity of permanently shadowed regions of the moon
No full textThe polar regions of the Moon contain areas that never experience sunlight, known as permanently shadowed regions (PSRs). These regions are thought to contain uneven distributions of water ice deposits. To access PSRs and their possible water deposits, we must first understand the strength of the soil at these locations to safely traverse them. Thirteen boulder tracks were identified on the edge of, or within, PSRs in the lunar south polar region using images taken by the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter. These images were processed to enable the measurement of boulders and their associated tracks. The tracks identified within PSRs have similar appearances to those identified outside PSRs in other regions on the Moon. The strength of soil within PSRs was estimated from the measurements taken and was shown to be at least as strong as highland and mare regions of the Moon at relatively shallow depths, although the studied PSRs show no evidence for the presence of water ice. Analysis shows that PSRs of the type measured here should be able to bear rovers at depths of at least ~30 cm. In situ measurements are required to confirm and better understand the mechanical behavior of PSR regolith at shallow depths.H. M. Sargeant, V. T. Bickel, C. I. Honniball, S. N. Martinez, A. Rogaski, S. K. Bell, E. C. Czaplinski, B. E. Farrant, E. M. Harrington, G. D. Tolometti, and D. A. Krin
Apollo-Earth Day Connection Apollo 9
No full textApollo 9 astronaut Dave Scott looks down at Earth from the Apollo 9 Command Modul
Origin and composition of three heterolithic boulder- and cobble-bearing deposits overlying the Murray and Stimson formations, Gale Crater, Mars
No full textHere we present ground-based observations regarding a puzzling type of geological unit first observed prior to landing. Using ~25 cm/pixel High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE; McEwen et al., 2007) images acquired from the orbiting Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO), the team identified a suite of isolated features ranging in size from 10s to 100s of meters across that occur along the lower northern slopes of Aeolis Mons (informally, Mt. Sharp), the 5-km-high stratified mountain in Gale (Fig. 1). The strata of Aeolis Mons are sedimentary (Malin and Edgett, 2000; Anderson and Bell, 2010; Milliken et al., 2010). The puzzle was whether these isolated features are part of the sedimentary rock record (i.e., lithified units) or are younger, unconsolidated deposits.Roger C. Wiens, Kenneth S. Edgett, Kathryn M. Stack, William E. Dietrich, Alexander B. Bryk, Nicolas Mangold, Candice Bedford, Patrick Gasda, Alberto Fairen, Lucy Thompson, Jeff Johnson, Olivier Gasnault, Sam Clegg, Agnes Cousin, Olivier Fornij, Jens Frydenvan, Nina Lanza, Sylvestre Maurice, Horton Newsom, Ann Ollila, Valerie Payré, Frances Rivera-Hernandez, Ashwin Vasavad
Deep Trek: Mission Concepts for Exploring Subsurface Habitability and Life on Mars
No full textHere we focus on mission concepts, driving science objectives, and technologies that enable access to a major new frontier in planetary science, the Martian subsurface, with a focus on modern subsurface habitability & life.Charles D. Edwards (Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology). Co-Authors: 1. Vlada Stamenković Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology; 2. Penelope Boston NASA Ames; 3. Kennda Lynch LPI/USRA … et al
Planetary Radar Astronomy with Ground-Based Astrophysical Assets
No full textSatisfying federal mandates requires continued and expanded support of planetary radar programs, upgrades to the facilities that host the planetary radar systems, and adequate communication between Congress and all relevant agencies that manage the facilities and the planetary radar programs. Continued research into improved radar transmitter technology and the use of phased array radars on interplanetary distance scales is warranted. Any breakdown of the planetary radar programs using single-dish astrophysical assets would be detrimental to planetary defense and small-body exploration on the timescale of the decadal survey
Preparing for Artemis 3 EVA Science Operations
No full textWe need to quickly draw upon those scientists in the nation who have extensive experience with both lunar sample analyses and field studies in impact-cratered terrains to develop surface science plans. With that expertise: 1. Evaluate the landing site; 2. Integrate program elements; 3. Train crew for surface ops; 4. Train scientists for mission operations; 5. Conduct mission simulations; 6. Training in impact-cratered terrains; 7. Training among highland analogue terrains
Using Complementary Methods of Synchrotron Radiation Powder Diffraction and Pair Distribution Function to Refine Crystal Structures with High Quality Parameters—A Review
No full textDetermination of the atomic-scale structures of certain fine-grained minerals using single-crystal X-ray diffraction (XRD) has been challenging because they commonly occur as submicron and nanocrystals in the geological environment. Synchrotron powder diffraction and scattering techniques are useful complementary methods for studying this type of minerals. In this review, we discussed three example studies investigated by combined methods of synchrotron radiation XRD and pair distribution function (PDF) techniques: (1) low-temperature cristobalite; (2) kaolinite; and (3) vernadite.by Seungyeol Lee and Huifang X
Habitability, Geodynamics, and the Case for Venus
No full textAlthough supremely unhospitable to life today, Venus's geodynamic similarities to Earth provide the ultimate control case for understanding rocky planet evolution and habitability. It very likely had past long-term surface water, as well as a dynamo. Tectonism and volcanism, with associated outgassing, likely persist today. A majority of rocky Earth-sized exoplanets lie in the high insolation "Venus-zone". The ultimate question is are any of them habitable?Primary author: Suzanne Smrekar Jet Propulsion Laboratory/California Institute of Technology, Pasadena CA ; Co-authors: Jeff Andrews-Hanna (U.AZ), Doris Breuer (DLR Berlin), Paul Byrne (NCSU), Debra Buczkowski (JHU/APL), Bruce Campbell (Nat. Air Space Museum), A. Davaille (CNRS/U. Paris-Saclay), Darby Dyar (Mt. Holyoke/PSI), G. Di Achille (INAF/Astro Obs. Teramo), Caleb Fassett (Marshall), Martha Gilmore (Wesleyan), Robert Grimm (SWRI), Jorn Helbert (DLR Berlin), Scott Hensley (JPL), Robert Herrick (U. Alaska), Luciano Iess (U.Roma), Lauren Jozwiak (JHU/APL), Tiffany Katiaria (JPL), Marco Mastrogiuseppe (U. Roma), Erwan Mazarico (Goddard), Nils Mueller (DLR Berlin), Daniel Nunes (JPL), Joseph O'Rourke (ASU); Patrick McGovern (LPI), Maria Raguso (Caltech), Joann Stock (Caltech), Constantine Tsang (SwRI), Thomas Widemann (Obs. Paris), Jennifer Whitten (Tulane), Thomas Widemann (LESIA), Howard Zebker (Stanford
Science Objectives for Artemis 3 Crewed Activities
No full textAddresses: Potential Science Objectives for a 2-person Crew with Multiple Short EVAs; Science from Artemis Returned Samples; and Proposed landing site/mission requirements to achieve objectives.Authors: J.D. Stopar (LPI/USRA) and C.K. Shearer (LPI/USRA; University of New Mexico