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

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 rendez-vous 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 (2007) scientific concepts.     

双探针法测量月壤热物性参数的影响因素分析

针对双探针法测量月壤热物性过程,建立了探针与月壤组成的多层介质在太阳辐照加 热与月表辐射散热作用下的二维非稳态传热模型。通过数值模拟,分析了探针长度、直径、 中心间距和加热功率等因素对测量结果的影响。结果表明,若月壤导热系数在0.01W／
(m·K)左右,则月壤的弱导热性是双探针探测设计中需考虑的主要因素。在上述分析的基 础上,设计了双探针结构,对一导热性能较差的松散介质进行了地面测量实验,通过试错法 反演测量数据得到该介质的热扩散率与导热系数,为进一步应用研究提供了参考。     

Simulation software for the spiral trajectory of our Moon

At 4.56 Ga, the accretion of the slowly rotating Solar Nebula led to the formation of Sun and its Planets in the plane of disc of accretion. Moon was formed by accretion from a circumterrestrial disk of debris generated by the glancing angle impact of the young Earth by a Mars size planetary embryo at about 4.5 Ga at a distance of 15,000 km. The Moon since then has migrated to the present position of 384,400 km from the center of the Earth. In course of this outward migration it has slowed down the spin rate of Earth and caused the lengthening of diurnal day length from 5 h initially to 24 h presently. The basic mechanics of Earth–Moon System has been worked out and theoretical determination of lengthening of day curve is carried out. This theoretical lengthening of day curve is compared with the observed lengthening of day curve based on paleobotanical evidences, ancient tidalites and Australian Banded Iron Formation. There is a remarkable correspondence between the two curves except for intermittent deviations due to geographical and geophysical factors. Based on the theoretical curve of lengthening of day, an empirical formula for the lunar orbital radius expansion is determined. Based on this empirical formula, simulation software is developed that gives the correct evolution of the semi-major axis (a) of our Moon for any time span from the inception to the time chosen under study. For mathematical simplicity the system is considered to be a two body rotating system throughout its evolutionary history of 4.5 Gyrs. This simulation draws the Moon’s spiral trajectory from its inception to any subsequent epoch. The terminal epoch is an input to the simulation software to arrive at the spiral trajectory of the Moon from the inception to the given epoch. The basic mechanics of Earth–Moon System and this simulation can be generalized to lay the foundation of simulation software for any Planet–Satellite pair or any Sun-Planet pair in our Solar System or Star-Planet pair in any Extra-Solar System. The basic dynamics has been found to be valid for Star–Planet pair also. So this Simulation Methodology can as well be applied to study the migratory evolution of Gas Giants also.     

腿式月球着陆器静态稳定性研究

采用稳定裕度作为描述静态稳定性的物理量,推导了腿式月球着陆器各主要部分的几何参数及相对位置关系参数与着陆器静态稳定性之间关系表达式;分析了各主要参量的变化对稳定性的影响;并着重比较了三腿式与四腿式构型对稳定性的影响。分析表明在同等条件下四腿式结构较三腿式结构更稳定,可为腿式月球着陆器的设计和优化提供一定的理论依据。     

SPACE CHEMISTRY RESEARCHES IN CHINA DURING 2000-2001

Over the past two years, significant progress in space chemistry has been made in China. The research fields include meteorites, pre-solar materials, science researches of the moon, effects of the space debris on space environment, and heterogeneity of the Earth. Chinese Lunar Exploration Project Some studies are also dedicated to one important space mission "Chinese Lunar Exploration Project". In this paper, the main achievements are outlined, and some concepts and hypotheses are briefly revised.     

A simulation study for anticipated accuracy of lunar gravity field model by SELENE tracking data

Results of numerical simulations are presented to examine the global gravity field recovery capability of the Japanese lunar exploration project SELENE (SELenological and ENgineering Explorer) which will be launched in 2007. New characteristics of the SELENE lunar gravimetry include 4-way satellite-to-satellite Doppler tracking of main orbiter and differential VLBI tracking of two small free-flier satellites. It is shown that the proposed satellite constellation will provide the first truly global satellite tracking data coverage. The expected results from these data are; (1) drastic reduction in far-side gravity error, (2) estimation of many gravity coefficients by the observation, not by a priori information, and (3) one order of magnitude improvement over existing gravity models for low-degree field.     

Observation of the lunar topography by the laser altimeter LALT on board Japanese lunar explorer SELENE

The SELENE Laser Altimeter (LALT) is designed to map the Moon’s topography and will be launched in summer 2007. LALT incorporates Q-switched Cr doped Nd:YAG laser (1064 nm) with an output energy of 100 mJ and 1 Hz repetition frequency for about one year mission period. The laser pulse travels to the Moon’s surface and reflections from the surface are detected by a silicon avalanche photo-diode. The ranging distance is 50–150 km with about 5 m accuracy. Several corrections for accurate ranging data are investigated. The flight hardware has been qualified and passed all the integration tests. A principal goal of the LALT instrument is to obtain a much more detailed lunar topographic map which is superior in global coverage, measurement accuracy and number of data points to previous observations and models. The overall science objectives of LALT are (1) determination of lunar global figure, (2) internal structure and surface processes, (3) exploration of the lunar pole regions, and (4) reduction of lunar occultation data.     

非结构化环境下月球车快速即时定位与制图方法

激光雷达的实时环境扫描与已构建环境模型之间的匹配是月球车即时定位与制图(SLAM)过程中的关键步骤,其收敛速度和准确性直接决定了SLAM的成败。月球表面是一种典型非结构化环境,其环境场景特征复杂。若通过三维激光匹配方式则传感器数据量大,特征匹配的难度高,实时性差。针对于此,本文提出了一种基于ICP算法的激光点扫描匹配方法－类等高线匹配方法,将二维激光雷达的实时扫描数据与已构建的三维环境高程图相匹配,利用RBPF粒子滤波实现位姿与地图状态的估计,采用自行研制的小型激光雷达硬件平台,较好地实现了月球车原理样机的快速SLAM过程。实验表明,基于该方法的即时定位与制图过程对于月球车位姿估计的鲁棒性强,实时性好。     

面向浅层月壤的小型取样器研究

面向浅层月壤取样,设计一种重量轻、功耗低、收缩体积小的卷簧式可伸缩月壤取样器,分别给出取样臂的静力学和动力学模型,并进行有限元分析,研究取样臂几何参数对其最大推力的影响,给出最大推力的数学估计公式,研究取样臂为不同长度时取样器的振动模态,得出取样器谐振频率与取样臂长度呈幂函数关系。实验证明取样器能够在模拟月壤、水泥及黄沙样品表面以下10cm内定量取样,取样器在有、无振动时取样的比较实验表明振动法能够有效提高钻进效率、钻进深度和样品抛丢效率。理论分析、仿真及实验验证了取样器设计的合理性及振动法取样的有效性。     

基于激光测距的月球探测重载六足机器人自主避障控制

月面未知环境下具有高承载力的六足移动机器人是月球探测中不可或缺的装备。六足机器人虽然可以借助足地接触信息和姿态信息在不平坦路面行走,在遇到较小障碍物时可以做出适当的反射动作,但当遇到无法逾越的障碍物时,基于视觉信息实现腿式机器人避障运动是非常重要的。针对电驱动六边形对称分布的六足机器人,基于激光测距仪的信息实现了模拟月壤地面的地形建模,提出基于虚拟机体模型的自主避障策略,获得最优可行方向和运动最短距离,规划了实时避障的机体和足端运动轨迹。实验结果表明,六足机器人可以实时、准确地跟踪避障策略得到实时偏航角度,实现了机器人在未知环境下的自主避障运动,为月球探测重载足式机器人研究奠定了基础。