Category Archives: South Pole Moon

Friday / 5 April 2013

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Russia Solidifies Moon Exploration Plans

Russia Moon 5 Missions

Igor Mitrofanov Of IKI Reveals Russia Moon Exploration Missions: 2015 Luna-Glob South Pole Lander To Analyze Regolith / Exosphere & Test Volatiles; 2016 Luna-Glob 100-km Altitude Polar Orbiter To Map Surface / Landing Sites; 2017 Luna-Resurs-1 South Pole Lander To Test Drilling System For Cryogenic Sampling; 2019 Luna-Resurs-2 Polar Sample Return Mission; 2020 Luna-Resurs-3 Rover To Study Surface & Store Subsurface Samples; Human Missions Could Follow

Image Credit: IKI, NASA, RSA

Weekend Edition / Fri-Mon 22-25 Mar 2013

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How To Illuminate A Permanent Shadow

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New NASA Goddard Video Shows How LRO Instruments Have Mapped Moon Polar Craters, Which Have Not Seen Sun For Over 2B Years Due To 1.6-Degree Lunar Tilt; LOLA Uses Lasers To Compose Topographic Maps; LAMP Measures Faint Light Of Other Stars; Diviner Measures Extreme Cold Temperatures; LEND Measures Speed Of Neutrons To Detect Elements Such As Hydrogen

Image Credit: NASA

Wednesday / 20 March 2013

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Characterizing The Lunar Poles: Ben Bussey Seminar

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Ben Bussey Of John Hopkins University APL Presenting Data – Acquired By Recent Fleet Of International Lunar Spacecraft – Characterizing Moon Poles, 27 Mar At NASA Lunar Science Institute In CA, USA; Results Useful For Planning Future Robotic & Human Missions; Geology Of Poles, Surface & Subsurface Properties, Possibilities For Surface Operations / Regolith Excavation / Drilling & Potential Instrumentation Needed For Science From / On Moon

Image Credit: NASA

Wednesday / 6 March 2013

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Lunar Conferences Upcoming In Houston, Texas

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Microsymposium 54, 16-17 Mar, To Feature Summary Of New Lunar Exploration Discoveries, Implications For Future Robotic & Human Missions To Lunar Poles & Far Side; 1,945 Oral / Poster Presentations On Latest Research In Planetary Science Expected At 18-22 Mar LPI / USRA Lunar & Planetary Science Conference, Features Special Session On GRAIL Mission Results; Both Events At The Woodlands, TX

Image Credit: LPI, NASA, Brown University

Thursday / 7 February 2013

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Lunar Exploration Summer Intern Program

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Application Deadline 1 March For LPI Summer Intern Program At NASA JSC; Interns Will Evaluate The Study Generated By Previous Student Teams – ‘Global Landing Site Study To Provide Context For Exploration Of The Moon’ – Then Conduct Detailed Assessment Of 1 Or 2 High-Priority Landing Sites Identified In That Report; Will Utilize Latest Lunar Data, Explore Potential Traverse Routes / Stations, ID Challenges; Program: 28 May- 2 Aug 2013

Image Credit: NASA, LPI

Tuesday / 5 February 2013

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3D-Printed Moon Base

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ESA Plans For 3D Printing Of Lunar Base Gaining Attention In Space Media: Doug Messier, Bruce Cordell, Larry Kellogg, Keith Cowing, WIRED; ESA Working With Architects Foster + Partners To Develop Lunar Habitat Design With Cellular Structured Wall, Incorporating Pressurized Inflatable To Shelter Astronauts; Next-Generation 3-D Printer Will Be Able To Build Entire Structure In 1 Week 

Image Credit: ESA, Foster + Partners

Tuesday / 29 January 2013

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Consistent, Achievable Lunar Exploration Plan Emerging In Russia?

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After Years Of Grandiose Announcements / Contradictions & Mission Failures / Delays, Russia Seeking To Improve Space Industry Organizations, Reestablish Leading Space Power Status; Recently Announced Lunar Exploration Strategy Appears Realistic / Rational: 2015 Luna-Glob Orbiter, 2016 Scaled-Down Luna-Glob South Pole Lunar Lander, Luna-Resurs Research Rover With India ~2017, Human Moon Missions With New Russia Spacecraft By 2030

Image Credit: ROSCOSMOS, NASA

Wednesday / 16 January 2013

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Russia 2015 Moon Lander

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Roscosmos Head Vladimir Popovkin Says Russia Planning Luna-Glob Moon Lander Mission In 2015; Mission Will Be 1st From New US$1B Vostochny Cosmodrome In Far East Amur Region Of Russia; 1400-kg Spacecraft Will Place 500-kg Landing Module On South Pole Of Moon; Craft Will Carry Up To 25kg Of Scientific Equipment To Search For Water / Take Soil Samples, Yet Main Objective Of Mission Is To Achieve Landing On Another World / Moon

Image Credit: Roscosmos

Tuesday / 8 January 2013

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New Year Review Of Lunar Exploration Resources

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Valuable Update Of Major Lunar Research & Development Resources Being Provided By Long-Time Professional Space / Lunar Project Information Expert Larry Kellogg Via ‘To The Moon, Mars And Beyond’ Blog: Energy / Power Issues In Lunar  Settlement, China 2013 Lunar Lander / Rover, Chang’e-3 Implications For GLXP, South Pole Moon As Ideal Destination For Exploration / Development  

Image Credit: CNSA, NASA, Pat Rawlings

Weekend Edition / Fri-Mon, 4-7 Jan 2013

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Moon Lander Scenarios For NASA

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Impending 2013 China Moon Lander Should Inspire USA To Renew National Robustness In Lunar Surface Exploration; NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Working On Mini Lunar Landers, Original 2013 Launch Date Delayed To ~2018 Due To Inconsistent Funding / Support / Incentive; With US Government Commitment Of ~US$200-300M  NASA Could Achieve Robotic Lander / Power Station On Lunar South Pole ‘Peak Of Eternal Light’ Within 2 Years

Image Credit: NASA, ESA