Lunar Net—a proposal in response to an ESA M3 call in 2010 for a medium sized mission

Abstract

Emplacement of four or more kinetic penetrators geographically distributed over the lunar surface can enable a broad range of scientific exploration objectives of high priority and provide significant synergy with planned orbital missions. Whilst past landed missions achieved a great deal, they have not included a far-side lander, or investigation of the lunar interior apart from a very small area on the near side. Though the LCROSS mission detected water from a permanently shadowed polar crater, there remains in-situ confirmation, knowledge of concentration levels, and detailed identification of potential organic chemistry of astrobiology interest. The planned investigations will also address issues relating to the origin and evolution of the Earth-Moon system and other Solar System planetary bodies. Manned missions would be enhanced with use of water as a potential in-situ resource; knowledge of potential risks from damaging surface Moonquakes, and exploitation of lunar regolith for radiation shielding. LunarNet is an evolution of the 2007 LunarEX proposal to ESA (European Space Agency) which draws on recent significant advances in mission definition and feasibility. In particular, the successful Pendine full-scale impact trials have proved impact survivability for many of the key technology items, and a penetrator system study has greatly improved Exp Astron (2012) 33:587-644 589 the definition of descent systems, detailed penetrator designs, and required resources. LunarNet is hereby proposed as an exciting stand-alone mission, though is also well suited in whole or in-part to contribute to the jigsaw of upcoming lunar missions, including that of a significant element to the ILN (International Lunar Network).

A case for landing on the moon's farside to test nitrogen abundances

“…Two possibilities are being followed up. An eventual return to the Moon (Smith et al 2011), as well as the exploration of the Jovian Moon Europa (Gowen et al 2011). We have argued that support would not only be economically more feasible with penetrators, but that the reward of increasing our data of the lunar regolith and its paleoregolith is full of promising astrobiological returns that are no longer accessible on terrestrial locations.…”

Rare Earth Elements in Planetary Crusts: Insights from Chemically Evolved Igneous Suites on Earth and the Moon

“…Our understanding of the geological and lithologically diversity on Moon will only be enhanced by targeted missions to regions of the lunar surface that remain unsampled by sample return missions. An alternative approach would be to carry out in situ measurements via robots capable of acquiring major, minor, and trace element data, in addition to isotopic data (Farside Explorer and LunarNet proposals [56,113,114]). Within the context of renewed excitement and enthusiasm for the Moon as a potential extraterrestrial resource however comes the question of sustainability and Transporting shipments of materials to the Moon from Earth would cost >$20,000 USD/kg hence exploitation of lunar resources would be economically beneficial if materials could be obtained in situ [110].…”

Moon as a Giant Detector for Neutrino Streams from Pulsars

“…Variable neutrino flux interacting with radioactive geological structures, in addition to changes in heat flow that quickly offset will cause the seismic oscillations of these structures recorded seismic network [12-14; 16 -23]. The optimal geophysical telescope is a lunar expedition Apollo seismic network and the seismic catalog of the network (Catalogue Nakamura), previously served as a rich source of information, both on the internal structure of the Moon and other objects in the solar system [6,25]. The effectiveness of neutrino geophysical telescope (see.…”

“…Figure 1) is determined by the content of radioactive elements (indirectly, but the magnitude of the correct heat flow) in geological structures beneath the seismic station in particular and / or near the adjacent and underlying structures. Luckily Apollo astronauts' expeditions 15 and 17 carried out measurements of heat fluxes at the landing site, and the further development of the picture according to the Lunar Prospector spacecraft is shown in [25], ris. 2, 3.…”

“…From an examination of Table 1 should be: observed frequencies match the Moon seismic peaks at frequencies of pulsars 3-4 second mark that exclusively unlikely. Because the distribution options of radioactive elements in the lunar geological structures are known [25], the analysis of seismic noise Moon on X, Y, Z components at frequencies of pulsars, we can figure out the relationship of the spatial location of radioactive elements and the structure of seismic noise at the frequencies of the pulsars. Previously, other researchers in 1970 in the Middle East through the records of the vertical component of MS in the band 1-2 Hz spectral analysis has been demonstrated significantly narrow peak at a frequency of 1,667 Hz, corresponding to the pulsar CP 1133 [1].…”