载人月球车移动系统综述及关键技术分析

以载人月球车的发展和相关技术为对象,首先对国外载人月球车移动系统的概念设计进行了系统的综述,对载人月球车各种概念设计的特点进行了比较和分析,探讨了载人月球车的设计趋势;其次以阿波罗载人月球车移动系统结构为例,分析其移动系统的主要构成作为借鉴;然后从机构学、地面力学及动力学等方面在载人月球车研究中的应用现状进行了综述;最后提出了载人月球车移动系统的关键技术,指明了当前亟需解决的关键技术及难点所在。     

Lunar Base 2015 Stage 1

This paper is a design study for a modular Lunar Base built of at least six cylindrical modules. For launching an ARIANE-Rocket with a payload of 12 ton can be used.To land the modules on the moon the author has designed a Teleoperated Rocket Crane, which is assembled in the Lunar Orbit. The modules are made of aluminium sheets, using a double-shell structure to protect a crew of eight astronauts from radiation, micrometeorites, heat and low temperatures during the lunar night.Lunar material (regolith) is used for shielding.     

Scientific investigations at a lunar base.

Scientific investigations to be carried out at a lunar base can have significant impact on the location, extent, and complexity of lunar surface facilities. Among the potential research activities to be carried out are: (1) Lunar Science: Studies of the origin and history of the Moon and early solar system, based on lunar field investigations, operation of networks of seismic and other instruments, and collection and analysis of materials; (2) Space Plasma Physics: Studies of the time variation of the charged particles of the solar wind, solar flares and cosmic rays that impact the Moon as it moves in and out of the magnetotail of the Earth; (3) Astronomy: Utilizing the lunar environment and stability of the surface to emplace arrays of astronomical instruments across the electromagnetic spectrum to improve spectral and spatial resolution by several orders of magnitude beyond the Hubble Space Telescope and other space observatories; (4) Fundamental physics and chemistry: Research that takes advantage of the lunar environment, such as high vacuum, low magnetic field, and thermal properties to carry out new investigations in chemistry and physics. This includes material sciences and applications; (5) Life Sciences: Experiments, such as those that require extreme isolation, highly sterile conditions, or very low natural background of organic materials may be possible; and (6) Lunar environmental science: Because many of the experiments proposed for the lunar surface depend on the special environment of the Moon, it will be necessary to understand the mechanisms that are active and which determine the major aspects of that environment, particularly the maintenance of high-vacuum conditions. From a large range of experiments, investigations and facilities that have been suggested, three specific classes of investigations are described in greater detail to show how site selection and base complexity may be affected: (1) Extended geological investigation of a complex region up to 250 kilometers from the base requires long range mobility, with transportable life support systems and laboratory facilities for the analysis of rocks and soil. Selection of an optimum base site would depend heavily on an evaluation of the degree to which science objectives could be met. These objectives could include lunar cratering, volcanism, resource surveys or other investigations; (2) An astronomical observatory initially instrumented with a VLF radio telescope, but later expanding to include other instruments, requires site preparation capability, "line shack" life support systems, instrument maintenance and storage facilities, and sortie mode transportation. A site perpetually shielded from Earth is optimum for the advanced stages of a lunar observatory; (3) an experimental physics laboratory conducting studies requiring high vacuum facilities and heavily instrumented experiments, is not highly dependent on lunar location, but will require much more flexibility in experiment operation and EVA capability, and more sophisticated instrument maintenance and fabrication facilities.     

Apollo: Learning from the past,for the future

This paper shares an interesting and unique case study of knowledge capture by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), an ongoing project to recapture and make available the lessons learned from the Apollo lunar landing project so that those working on future projects do not have to “reinvent the wheel”. NASA’s new Constellation program, the successor to the Space Shuttle program, proposes a return to the Moon using a new generation of vehicles. The Orion Crew Vehicle and the Altair Lunar Lander will use hardware, practices, and techniques descended and derived from Apollo, Shuttle, and the International Space Station. However, the new generation of engineers and managers who will be working with Orion and Altair are largely from the decades following Apollo, and are likely not well aware of what was developed in the 1960s. In 2006, a project at NASA’s Johnson Space Center was started to find pertinent Apollo-era documentation and gather it, format it, and present it using modern tools for today’s engineers and managers. This “Apollo Mission Familiarization for Constellation Personnel” project is accessible via the web from any NASA center for those interested in learning answers to the question “how did we do this during Apollo?”     

月尘对太阳电池的遮挡效应研究

月尘的沉积对月面探测器太阳电池系统是一种严重的威胁。为了对月尘沉积所引起的太阳电池性能衰减进行预估,文章建立了一种月尘遮挡模型,可用于月尘遮挡效应的研究,并可作为月球探测器防尘设计的参考工具。     

SinterHab

This project describes a design study for a core module on a Lunar South Pole outpost, constructed by 3D printing technology with the use of in-situ resources and equipped with a bio-regenerative life support system. The module would be a hybrid of deployable (CLASS II) and in-situ built (CLASS III) structures. It would combine deployable membrane structures and pre-integrated rigid elements with a sintered regolith shell for enhanced radiation and micrometeorite shielding. The closed loop ecological system would support a sustainable presence on the Moon with particular focus on research activities. The core module accommodates from four to eight people, and provides laboratories as a test bed for development of new lunar technologies directly in the environment where they will be used. SinterHab also includes an experimental garden for development of new bio-regenerative life support system elements. The project explores these various concepts from an architectural point-of-view particularly, as they constitute the building, construction and interior elements. The construction method for SinterHab is based on 3D printing by sintering of the lunar regolith. Sinterator robotics 3D printing technology proposed by NASA JPL enables construction of future generations of large lunar settlements with little imported material and the use of solar energy. The regolith is processed, placed and sintered by the Sinterator robotics system which combines the NASA ATHLETE and the Chariot remotely controlled rovers. Microwave sintering creates a rigid structure in the form of walls, vaults and other architectural elements. The interior is coated with a layer of inflatable membranes inspired by the TransHab project. The life-support system is mainly bio-regenerative and several parts of the system are intrinsically multifunctional and serve more than one purpose. The plants for food production are also an efficient part of atmosphere revitalization and water treatment. Moreover, the plants will be used as a “winter garden” for psychological and recreational purposes. The water in the revitalization system has a multifunctional use, as radiation shielding in the safe-haven habitat core. The garden module creates an artificial outdoor environment mitigating the notion of confinement on the lunar surface. Fiber optics systems and plasma lamps are used for transmission of natural and artificial light into the interior.     

月球探测器着陆冲击试验及关键技术研究

中国正在开展月球探测活动,下一步将发射月球着陆器并实现月面软着陆。为确保着陆器在月面着陆时的稳定性和可靠性,发射前需在地球表面进行着陆冲击试验。对会影响月球着陆器着陆性能的月貌和月壤进行了详细的叙述,以便在试验过程中进行相应环境特征的模拟。用图表详尽阐述了三种月球重力场模拟器的原理和装置,并对各自的优缺点进行了评述。根据试验模型的不同,将月球着陆器着陆冲击试验分为原尺寸试验（模拟的月球重力场下）和1/6模型试验（地球重力场下）两类,分别介绍了两类模型的结构以及试验模型与着陆器原型机之间缩放关系。分别给出了原尺寸试验和1/6模型试验的试验平台和试验步骤,以及初始试验参数的给定方法。根据试验研究的需要以及月球探测器在月球表面着陆时的真实情况,给出了在地球上进行着陆模式模拟的方法。研究表明两种试验结果之间有良好的一致性,但是这两种试验的花费很高,且对试验场地有较高的要求。再者,由于在试验中对月壤没有太好的模拟方法,试验数据与真实着陆时数据存在一定差异。     

浅表层月壤铲挖采样的振动减阻技术仿真研究

文章对振动铲挖技术在浅表层月壤采样过程中的适用性进行了研究。根据月壤宏观、细观参数,采用离散元法建立了月壤模型,对月球表面低重力低气压环境下的月壤应力—应变特性进行仿真,并结合采用Balovnev机—土交互模型描述的月壤铲挖阻力公式,对月壤的振动减阻机理进行了分析。在此基础上,通过向采样器施加不同振幅和频率的振动,开展了浅表层月壤铲挖仿真,给出了铲挖过程中不同振动参数与月壤采样阻力的关系。同时,通过对比不同工况下的月壤孔隙率,验证了月壤的振动铲挖减阻机理及适用性。     

An inversion approach for lunar regolith layer thickness using optical albedo data and microwave emission simulation

An approach to inversion of the lunar regolith layer thickness by using multi-channel brightness temperature observation in passive microwave remote sensing is developed. To first make simulation of brightness temperature from the lunar layered media, the lunar regolith layer thickness (d) is proposed being constructed by available lunar DEM (digital elevation mapping) and on site measurements. The physical temperature distribution (T) over the lunar surface is also empirically assumed as a monotonic function of the latitude. Optical albedo of the lunar nearside from the telescopic observation is employed to construct the spatial distribution of the FeO+TiO₂ content (S) in the lunar regolith layer. A statistic relationship between the DEM and S of the lunar nearside is further extended to construction of S of the lunar farside. Thus, the dielectric permittivity (ε) of global lunar regolith layer can then be determined. Based on all these conditions (d,T,ε), brightness temperature of the lunar regolith layer in passive microwave remote sensing, which is planned for China's Chang-E lunar project, is numerically simulated by a parallel layering model using the strong fluctuation theory of random media.Then, taking these simulations with random noise as observations, an inversion method of the lunar regolith layer thickness is developed by using three- or two-channels brightness temperatures. When the S is low, and the four channels brightness temperatures in China's Chang-E project are well distinguishable, the regolith layer thickness and physical temperature of the underlying lunar rock media can be inverted by the three-channels approach. When the S becomes high that the brightness temperature at high frequency channels such as 19.35, 37 GHz are saturated, the regolith layer thickness is alternatively inverted only by the two-channels approach.Numerical simulation and inversion approach in this paper make an evaluation of the performance for lunar passive microwave remote sensing, and for future data calibration and validation.     

卫星跟踪卫星应用于月球重力场探测的模拟研究

月球卫星跟踪卫星技术作为月球和行星重力场探测的一种解决方案已经初步研究和讨论。文章引入已有的解析方法在理论上分析卫星间精密测距与月球重力场信号的频率响应关系,并通过模拟计算,以分析月球卫星跟踪卫星方法应用于月球重力场探测的可行性和恢复重力场的能力。由于月球卫星跟踪卫星方法是目前解决远月面重力探测最有潜力的方法之一,且已为一些月球探测计划采用,而我国的月球探测计划也同样面,临远月面探测的难题,文章的研究成果可为我国月球和行星重力场的探测提供参考。     

月球表面热环境数值分析

月球表面热环境的研究对探月活动有重要意义,本文用数值方法分析了月球表面的热环境.首先计算了不同纬度地区地表辐射平衡温度的周期波动,然后建立了月球地表土壤的一维非稳态热传导模型,用此模型计算了不同纬度地区地表温度的波动、月壤温度的波动及恒温层温度和深度,并讨论了月壤热物性对温度波动的影响.结果表明白天的地表温度主要取决于地表的辐射平衡温度,而夜晚的地表温度受到月壤热物性的影响.     

月球表面水冰探测进展

月球水冰探测对未来载人月球探测以及构建月球基地意义重大。在继＂克莱门汀＂（Clementine）、＂月球勘探者＂（Lunar Prospector）和＂智能一号＂（SMART-1）等月球探测器的探测后,美国的＂月球勘测轨道器＂（LRO）和＂月球环形山观测与遥感卫星＂（LCROSS）实施了月球极区永久阴影区撞击和观测,初步验证了水冰资源的存在。文章通过系统分析月球水冰的重要性、可能来源、探测历程和探测手段,初步提出我国开展月球水冰探测的载荷初步配置。     

月球探测中通信跟踪(C&T)技术遇到的新问题

以技术成熟的GEO以下近地轨道的C&T技术为参照点,提出月球探测遇到的新问题———长时间、远距离地月转移轨道测量、环月轨道段测量和月面登陆段测量中的新问题,给出解决这些问题的合理方法。     

低太阳高度角月球影像的陨石坑自动提取方法

陨石坑是月球表面最重要的地形特征,对于研究月球的地质状况和地理状况具有重要的意义。充分考虑低太阳高度角影像中陨石坑特殊的拓扑结构和灰度分布特点,提出一种新的基于光照方向的陨石坑边缘连接方法,综合边缘线判别、边缘线组合、陨石坑判别的陨石坑筛选三步法,形成一套完整的低太阳高度角月球影像陨石坑自动提取流程。用低太阳高度角Lunar Orbit影像进行实验,检测成功率达到了73.9%,表明该方法对于低太阳高度角月球影像陨石坑的自动提取有较好的适用性。     

Lunar base development missions

On 20 July 1969, humankind first set foot on our Moon. Since then we have developed the Space Shuttle, explored most of the planets, cooperated in the development of the International Space Station, and expanded our knowledge of the universe through use of systems such as the Hubble Space Telescope and the Mars Pathfinder. After just five human follow-on missions to our Moon, we have returned robotically only twice to orbit, to map the surface and explore for resources.

The indication of the presence of hydrogen concentration at the poles of our Moon found by Lunar Prospector has added a new perspective for groups studying and implementing future lunar missions. Plans for nearterm missions such as the European Space Agency (ESA) “Euromoon 2000”, the Japanese Lunar A and Selene, and the Mitsubishi ”Earthrise 2001” Project, along with follow-on phases to the Lunar Prospector, are the beginning of humankind's return to the Moon. Organizations such as the International Academy of Astronautics have long championed the “Case for an International Lunar Base,” and a vision of a commercially-based lunar program has been outlined by several groups. A Lunar Economic Development Authority (LEDA) promoted by the United Society in Space was promulgated by the filing of articles of incorporation in the state of Colorado on 4 August 1997. This non-profit corporation has as its goal the orderly development of the Moon, through issuance of bonds to international private citizens and business entities who care to invest in its long-term development.

This paper draws from the works of the aforementioned, and specifically from the International Academy of Astronautics Lunar Base Committee, to structure a series of architectures leading toward eventual international commercial colonization of the lunar surface. While the prospect of fully reusable transportation systems utilizing fully developed lunar resources to perpetuate the permanent lunar infrastructure is enticing, this is a goal. We must utilize our current and near-term capabilities to re-initiate human lunar presence, and then build on emerging technologies to strengthen our capabilities. Humankind's return to the Moon is a part of our destiny. We can return in the near future, and then proceed to a commercial, permanent settlement in the 21st century.     

Materials refining on the Moon

Oxygen, metals, silicon, and glass are raw materials that will be required for long-term habitation and production of structural materials and solar arrays on the Moon. A process sequence is proposed for refining these materials from lunar regolith, consisting of separating the required materials from lunar rock with fluorine. The fluorine is brought to the Moon in the form of potassium fluoride, and is liberated from the salt by electrolysis in a eutectic salt melt. Tetrafluorosilane produced by this process is reduced to silicon by a plasma reduction stage; the fluorine salts are reduced to metals by reaction with metallic potassium. Fluorine is recovered from residual MgF and CaF₂ by reaction with K₂O.     

Method based on artificial excitation of characteristic radiation by an electron beam for remote X-ray spectral elemental analysis of surface rocks on atmosphereless celestial bodies

This article, like our previous one [1], is devoted to advanced space technology concepts. It evaluates the potential for developing active systems to conduct a remote elemental analysis of surface rocks on an atmosphereless celestial body. The analysis is based on the spectrometry of characteristic X-rays (CXR) artificially excited in the surface soil layer. It has been proposed to use an electron beam injected from aboard a spacecraft orbiting the celestial body (or moving in a flyby trajectory) to excite the CXR elements contained in surface rocks. The focus is on specifying technical requirements to the parameters of payloads for a global mapping of the composition of lunar rocks from aboard of a low-orbiting lunar satellite. This article uses the results obtained in [2], our first study that shows the potential to develop an active system for a remote elemental analysis of lunar surface rocks using the above method. Although there has been interest in our research on the part of leading national academic institutions and space technology developers in the Soviet Union, the studies were discontinued because of the termination of the Soviet lunar program and the completion of the American Apollo program.     

Self-propagating high-temperature reactions for the fabrication of Lunar and Martian physical assets

The development of a new process potentially useful for future manned Lunar and/or Martian space missions in the framework of the so-called ISRU (In-Situ Resource Utilization) and ISFR (In-Situ Fabrication and Repair) concepts is described and discussed in this work. This process involves the fabrication of physical assets by self-propagating high temperature synthesis (SHS) for construction applications in Lunar and Martian environments starting from different Lunar or Martian regolith simulants and aluminum, as reducing agent. In addition, although Moon and Mars already contain ilmenite (FeTiO₃) and iron oxides, respectively, the latter ones are also added to the initial mixtures to promote suitable SHS reactions. A complete scheme for the fabrication of physical assets to be used as protection against solar rays, solar wind and meteoroids, where all required stages are indicated, is finally proposed in the framework of a recently filed patent.     

嫦娥一号卫星的近期科学探测成果

嫦娥一号月球探测卫星采用CCD相机和激光高度计,对月球表面参数特征进行了测量,获得了覆盖完整、分辨率高的全月球数字高程模型（DEM）。基于数字高程模型,可以鉴别中尺度的月球表面的地质地貌、盆地和火山等。这些新的研究成果将有益于对月球地质演化的深入研究。