NASA Lunar Science Activities. Lunar Science and Exploration

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1 NASA Lunar Science Activities Lunar Science and Exploration James L. Green Director, Planetary Sciences Division Science Directorate Mission Directorate NASA In NASA s James Science L. Green Mission Presented to US Chamber October of 23, Commerce 2007 August 14, th ILEWG International Conference on Exploration and Utilization of the Moon Kelly Snook and James Green Planetary Sciences Division

2 Lunar Exploration & Science Two organizations in NASA working on the Vision for Space Exploration Exploration Systems Mission Directorate (ESMD) Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) Crew transportation systems Systems to support Humans on Moon & Mars Science Missions Directorate (SMD) Planetary Science Division Lunar Science Activities Mars Exploration Program

3 Lunar Science Strategy Significant and growing dedicated wedge beginning in 2008 budget Program horizon Total over 5-year budget run out projected ~$300M System Elements: LRO extended operations will become the prime science mission Upgrade Planetary Data System (PDS) to support Lunar data Develop lunar science mission concepts (robotic & with humans) Research and Analysis augmentations Technology & Instrumentation development opportunities Education/Public Outreach University level and museums/science centers

4 Highest Priority Lunar Science Goals Test the cataclysm hypothesis by determining the spacing in time of the lunar basins. Anchor the early Earth-Moon impact flux curve by determining the age of the oldest lunar basin (South Pole-Aitken Basin). Establish a precise absolute chronology. Determine the compositional state and distribution (elemental, isotopic, mineralogic) of the volatile component in lunar polar regions. Determine the extent and composition of the primary feldspathic crust, KREEP layer, and other products of planetary differentiation. Determine the thickness of the lunar crust (upper and lower) and characterize its lateral variability on regional and global scales. Characterize the chemical/physical stratification in the mantle, particularly the nature of the 500-km discontinuity and the composition of the lower mantle. Determine the global density, composition, and time variability of the fragile lunar atmosphere before it is perturbed by further human activity. Determine the size, composition, and state (solid/liquid) of the Lunar core Inventory the variety, age, distribution, and origin of lunar rock types. Determine the size, charge, and spatial distribution of electrostatically transported dust grains and assess their likely effects on lunar exploration and lunar-based astronomy.

5 Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) SPACECRAFT BUS ISO-THERMAL PANEL/RADIATOR CRaTER INSTRUMENT MODULE HIGH GAIN ANTENNA SYSTEM DIVINER LOLA X LAMP Y LROC NACs Z PROPULSION MODULE SOLAR ARRAY SYSTEM LEND Mimi-RF LAMP CRaTER X +/- Thrust Launch date: October st Year - Exploration data 2nd Year & onwards - Science mission LOLA LROC NAC (2) LEND Diviner Mini-RF ANTENNA Y Z Lunar Nadir

6 Lunar Research & Analysis Last years Research & Analysis base support for the Moon ~ $8M grants (cosmochemistry, solar system origins, etc) New Activity Beginning this year LRO Participating Scientist program Research using LRO instruments or data Help define LRO s prime science objectives Proposals submitted Sept. 7, 2007 (~60 received) Up to 4-yr awards, ~ $100K/yr average Lunar Advanced Science & Exploration Research (LASER) Joint PSD/ESMD sponsored Proposals submitted Sept. 20, 2007 (~170 received) 1/4 basic research, 1/4 applied research, 1/2 Basic + Applied Up to 4-yr awards, ~ $100K/yr average Establishing a NASA Lunar Science Institute AMES will be the central node with completed/distributed nodes

7 Technology and Instrumentation Planetary Instrument Definition & Development Program (PIDDP) Several lunar-focused instruments selected in 2007 Augmented in 2008 for add l lunar instrument development Up to 4-yr awards, ~$250K/yr average Discovery and Mars Scout Mission Concept Studies New concepts using a GFE - Radio Isotope Power 2 Stirling engines with 280W total output Call for proposals closes Nov. 30th Lunar Sortie Science Opportunities (LSSO) One-year concept studies (may be considered again in FY09) Selected 14 studies at ~$100K average/proposal Spans geology, geophysics, physics, astronomy, & astrophysics

8 Mission-Level Collaboration Discovery Program opportunities: Moon Mineralogy Mapper - Instruments aboard Indian Chandrayaan mission to be launched in 2008 Gravity Recovery & Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) - one of three mission concepts to be considered for full mission Discovery cost cap ~$425M New Frontiers to be issued Oct-Dec Last call included specific mission to SPAB New Frontiers cost cap ~$800M Yearly Mission of Opportunity (MoO) call for proposals starting spring 2008 Designed to support NASA investigations on international and domestic missions

9 Final Thoughts Moon is of fundamental importance to planetary science First destination for the Vision of Exploration Lunar exploration can feed-forward to Mars Exploration (i.e.: Mars Sample Return) We need to work toward a synergy of Lunar missions for the benefit of all through international cooperation

10 NASA s Flyby, Orbit, Land, Rove, and Return Samples