SMART-1 mission to the moon: Technology and science goals

Foing, B. H.; Racca, Giuseppe D.; Marini, Andrea; Heather, D.; Koschny, D.; Grandé, M.; Huovelin, J.; Keller, H. U.; Nathues, A.; Josset, J. L.; Mälkki, Anssi; Schmidt, W.; Noci, G.; Birkl, Reinhard; Iess, L.; Sodnik, Zoran; McManamon, Paul

doi:10.1016/s0273-1177(03)00541-6

Cited by 35 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…As an example, we show an image of the north pole taken on 2005 January 19 from an altitude of 5500 km in Figure 10. In fact, the illuminated crater rim close to the pole shown in this image corresponds to one of the permanently sunlit areas in the 1994 Clementine summer data (Foing et al 2003). This result suggests that solar power can be available for the LLMT from locations within 15Y20 km of the true pole, which can be delivered to a polar site either through cables or microwave links.…”

Section: Solar Power and Other Location Considerationsmentioning

confidence: 67%

A Cryogenic Liquid‐Mirror Telescope on the Moon to Study the Early Universe

Angel¹,

Worden²,

Borra³

et al. 2008

ApJ

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We have studied the feasibility and scientific potential of zenith observing liquid-mirror telescopes having 20Y100 m diameters located on the Moon. They would carry out deep infrared surveys to study the distant universe and follow up discoveries made with the 6 m James Webb Space Telescope (JWST ), with more detailed images and spectroscopic studies. They could detect objects 100 times fainter than JWST, observing the first high-redshift stars in the early universe and their assembly into galaxies. We explored the scientific opportunities, key technologies, and optimum location of such telescopes. We have demonstrated critical technologies. For example, the primary mirror would necessitate a high-reflectivity liquid that does not evaporate in the lunar vacuum and remains liquid at less than 100 K. We have made a crucial demonstration by successfully coating an ionic liquid that has negligible vapor pressure. We also successfully experimented with a liquid mirror spinning on a superconducting bearing, as will be needed for the cryogenic, vacuum environment of the telescope. We have investigated issues related to lunar locations, concluding that locations within a few kilometers of a pole are ideal for deep sky cover and long integration times. We have located ridges and crater rims within 0.5 of the north pole that are illuminated for at least some sun angles during lunar winter, providing power and temperature control. We also have identified potential problems, like lunar dust. Issues raised by our preliminary study demand additional in-depth analyses. These issues must be fully examined as part of a scientific debate that we hope to start with the present article.

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Section: Solar Power and Other Location Considerationsmentioning

confidence: 67%

A Cryogenic Liquid‐Mirror Telescope on the Moon to Study the Early Universe

Angel¹,

Worden²,

Borra³

et al. 2008

ApJ

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“…The launch of SMART-1 was on 27th of September 2003 [2], and regular operations of payload instruments were initialized during the period February-March 2004. The mission lifetime was extended, and ended with the scheduled impact on the Moon on September 3, 2006.…”

Section: Xsm Scientific Objectivesmentioning

confidence: 99%

The in-flight performance of the X-ray Solar Monitor (XSM) on-board SMART-1

Alha¹,

Huovelin²,

Hackman³

et al. 2008

Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A:

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“…The SMART-1 mission to the Moon (Foing et al 2001(Foing et al , 2003(Foing et al , 2006(Foing et al , 2008 ended its life in a controlled impact at 2 km s À1 on the lunar surface on September 3, 2006 at 5 h 42 UT. The spacecraft had been in orbit around the Moon since November 15, 2004.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

SMART‐1 end of life shallow regolith impact simulations

Burchell

Cole

Ramkissoon

et al. 2015

Meteorit & Planetary Scien

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The SMART-1 end-of-life impact with the lunar surface was simulated with impacts in a two stage light-gas gun onto inclined basalt targets with a shallow surface layer of sand. This simulated the probable impact site, where a loose regolith will have overlaid a well consolidated basaltic layer of rock. The impact angles used were at 5°and 10°from the horizontal. The impact speed was~2 km s À1 and the projectiles were 2.03 mm diameter aluminum spheres. The sand depth was between approximately 0.8 and 1.8 times the projectile diameter, implying a loose lunar surface regolith of similar dimensions to the SMART-1 spacecraft. A crater in the basement rock itself was only observed in the impact at 10°incidence, and where the depth of loose surface material was less than the projectile diameter, in which case the basement rock also contained a small pit-like crater. In all cases, the projectile ricocheted away from the impact site at a shallow angle. This implies that at the SMART-1 impact site the crater will have a complicated structure, with exposed basement rock and some excavated rock displaced nearby, and the main spacecraft body itself will not be present at the main crater.

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SMART-1 mission to the moon: Technology and science goals

Cited by 35 publications

References 16 publications

A Cryogenic Liquid‐Mirror Telescope on the Moon to Study the Early Universe

A Cryogenic Liquid‐Mirror Telescope on the Moon to Study the Early Universe

The in-flight performance of the X-ray Solar Monitor (XSM) on-board SMART-1

SMART‐1 end of life shallow regolith impact simulations

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