Traverses for the ISECG-GER design reference mission for humans on the lunar surface

Abstract

This study explores the Design Reference Mission (DRM) architecture developed by Hufenbach et al. (2015) as a prelude to the release of the 2018 Global Exploration Roadmap (GER) developed by the International Space Exploration Coordination Group (ISECG). The focus of this study is the exploration of the south polar region of the Moon, a region that has not been visited by any human missions, yet exhibits a multitude of scientifically important locations-the investigation of which will address long standing questions in lunar research. This DRM architecture involves five landing sites (Malapert massif, South Pole /Shackleton crater, Schrödinger basin, Antoniadi crater, and the South Pole-Aitken basin center), to be visited in sequential years by crew, beginning in 2028. Two Lunar Electric Rovers (LER) are proposed to be tele-robotically operated between sites to rendezvous with crew at the time of the next landing. With engineering parameters in mind we explore the feasibility of tele-robotic operation of these LERs between lunar landing sites, and identify potential high interest sampling locations en-route. Additionally, in-depth sample collection and return traverses are identified for each individual landing site across key geologic terrains that also detail crew Extra-Vehicular Activity (EVA). Exploration at and between landing sites is designed to address a suite of National Research Council (National Research Council, 2007) scientific concepts.

Analysis of Lunar Boulder Tracks: Implications for Trafficability of Pyroclastic Deposits

“…The analysis shows no evidence that LPDs are not able to generally bear even heavy vehicles such as the LER. Therefore, this study promotes the feasibility of previously proposed traverses into untraversed lunar regions, including high-priority targets such as the surrounding and potentially the center of the pyroclastic vent in Schrödinger basin (Allender et al, 2019;Bunte et al, 2011;O'Sullivan et al, 2011;Steenstra et al, 2016). In addition, this study investigates changes in rover specifications such as wheel/footpad width, pad contact length, and wheel diameter and simulates extra mass caused by sample collection and finds that vehicle sinkage could be effectively limited by an optimization of wheel and pad width.…”

“…The assessment of LPD trafficability has implications for the design of future missions. A high‐priority target for robotic and crewed missions is the pyroclastic vent in the Schrödinger basin, but it has been unclear whether wheeled or legged assets are able to traverse its periphery and to access its center (Allender et al, ; Bunte et al, ; O'Sullivan et al, ; Potts et al, ; Steenstra et al, ). The results of this study provide no evidence that the previous assumption of a traversable surface around the vent is invalid, thus, surface missions in this and similar locations may be possible using existing and proposed rover designs.…”

“…Several newly proposed landing sites and traverses exist in the proximity of LPDs (Allender et al, ; Kring & Durda, ; Potts et al, ; Steenstra et al, ). In particular, an immense ~400‐m‐tall pyroclastic deposit in the Schrödinger basin on the lunar farside was among the Tiers I and II targets during the Exploration Systems Mission Directorate phase of the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) mission because of its ISRU potential for future human missions.…”

“…In particular, an immense ~400‐m‐tall pyroclastic deposit in the Schrödinger basin on the lunar farside was among the Tiers I and II targets during the Exploration Systems Mission Directorate phase of the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) mission because of its ISRU potential for future human missions. Thus far, three landing site and traverse studies have explored the feasibility of crew working in the vicinity of that pyroclastic vent (Allender et al, ; Bunte et al, ; O'Sullivan et al, ). Moreover, several human‐assisted robotic sample return missions to the same pyroclastic vent have also been explored (Potts et al, ; Steenstra et al, ).…”

Factoring Origin of Life Hypotheses into the Search for Life in the Solar System and Beyond

“…In fact, the Moon may also preserve a record of Venusian, Martian, and extrasolar biosignatures, albeit in low concentrations [191,192]. NASA's Artemis Program and related efforts present an excellent opportunity to conduct an extensive search for Hadean impact ejecta within the coming decade (e.g., [193]).…”