Two Related Primary Challenges for Successful Renewed Lunar Exploration October 10, 2017 Presented By Ron Creel Retired Apollo Lunar Roving Vehicle Team Member
OUTLINE Challenge 1 Coping with Exposure to Temperature Extremes Challenge 1 Solutions (Recommended) Challenge 2 Coping with Dust Challenge 2 Solution (Recommended) Related LEAG Strategic Knowledge Gaps (SKGs) LUROVA for LEAG Analysis Poster for LEAG-2017 Coping = To Face and Deal with Responsibilities, Problems, or Difficulties, Especially Successfully, or in a Calm or Adequate Manner 2
Challenge 1 Coping with Exposure to Temperature Extremes Expect from ~-300 deg. F for No Sun to ~+300 deg. F for Full Sun HOT COLD LUROVA Simulation Game Used for Cancelled NASA Centennial Night Rover Energy Storage Competition / Testing 3
Challenge 1 Coping with Exposure to HOT Temperatures 14.75 Days (354 Hours) of Solar Heating Apollo Systems Designed for Lunar Morning Operation Russian Lunokhods and Chinese YUTU Excluded from Operation Near Noon Time 4
Challenge 1 Solution for HOT Temperature Exposure (Recommended) MMSEV-Like Rovers / Habitat Can Provide Isolation for Protection MMSEV = Multi-Mission Space Exploration Vehicle 5
Challenge 1 Coping with Exposure to COLD Temperatures 14.75 Days (354 Hours) of No Solar Heating All 3 Systems Survived Using Nuclear Energy Sources: Lunokhods = Isotope Heaters ALSEPs = RTGs YUTU = RHUs 6
Challenge 1 Solution for COLD Temperature Exposure (Recommended) Focus on Needed Nuclear Power for Survival with RTGs for Robotic or Crewed Moon Exploration 7
Challenge 2 Coping with Dust Misleading Earth-based Pre-Mission Dust Removal Testing Lunokhod 2 Ultimately Failed Due to Dust Deposited on Radiator Didn t Work on Moon! Included MSC Testing with Apollo 12 Dust 8
Challenge 2 Solution for Coping with Dust (Recommended) Focus on Isolation from Dust Exposure Small Pressurized Rover with Special Suits Isolates Astronauts from Dust Exposure and Minimizes Housekeeping Time 9
Related LEAG Strategic Knowledge Gaps (SKGs) SKGs identified for Missions to the Lunar Surface to test mobility, trafficability, dust adhesion, dust mitigation/remediation, and terrestrial testing using soil simulants: III C-1 Lunar surface trafficability modeling III C-2 Lunar surface trafficability in situ measurements III D-1 Lunar dust remediation III D-2 Regolith adhesion to human systems and associated mechanical degradation III J-2 Mobile habitat III J-4 Human mobility Relying on Earth-based testing or waiting until we Get There are NOT acceptable risks for Astronauts / others. 10
LUROVA STEM Simulation Game Available for LEAG Analysis Simulation Game = Attempt to copy various activities from real life in the form of a game for education, training, analysis, or prediction. LUROVA STEM Simulation Game Provides Apollo Mission Support Thermal Model with High Resolution Surface Model and LRO Terrain Data Variable Planning and Preparation for Mission Timing, Location, and Rover Configuration Hand Controller for Driving and Steering Battery Power Usage and Solar Heating Component Failures and Cooldown Dust Effects LRO Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) Collecting 0.5 Meter Resolution Terrain Data Since 2009 11
LUROVA STEM Simulation Game Play 12
Compiled by Ron Creel Apollo LRV Team Member Post-Apollo Lunar Dust Testing for SKGs 1 of 2 Dust Related Strategic Knowledge Gaps Identified by 2016 Lunar Exploration Analysis Group Special Action Team - Theme III is to Understand How to Work and Live on the Lunar Surface Additional Lunar Dust Adhesion Bell-Jar Testing by Dr. James Gaier at GRC, and Dusty Plasma Lab Testing by Dr. Mian Abbas at MSFC Testing Gaps Identified for Dust Adhesion & Remediation and Mobile Human Habitats Present Pursuits Listed 13
Compiled by Ron Creel Apollo LRV Team Member Post-Apollo Lunar Dust Testing for SKGs 2 of 2 Lunar Mobility and Surface Trafficability Testing Gaps Identified Resource Prospector Rover Being Studied 14