VMMO Lunar Volatile and Mineralogy Mapping Orbiter

• Main Authors: Kruzelecky, Roman, Murzionak, Piotr, Lavoie, Jonathan, Sinclair, Ian, Schinn, Gregory, Underwood, Craig, Gao, Yang, Bridges, Chris, Armellin, Roberto, Luccafabris, Andrea, Cloutis, Edward, Leijtens, Johan
• Format: Conference Object
• Language: English
• Published: 48th International Conference on Environmental Systems 2018
• Subjects: multi-wavelength chemical lidar; lunar volatiles; in-situ resources; ilmenite mapping; UV lunar measurements; CLAIRE radiation monitor; Sinclair; South Pole; Underwood; South pole
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/2346/74182

Roman Kruzelecky, MPB Communications Inc. Piotr Murzionak, MPB Communications Inc. Jonathan Lavoie, MPB Communications Inc Ian Sinclair, MPB Communications Inc. Gregory Schinn, MPB Communications Inc. Craig Underwood, Surrey Space Centre of the University of Surrey Yang Gao, University of Surrey Chris Bridges, University of Surrey Roberto Armellin, University of Surrey Andrea Luccafabris, University of Surrey Edward Cloutis, University of Winnipeg Johan Leijtens, Lens Research and Development ICES308: Advanced Technologies for In-Situ Resource Utilization The 48th International Conference on Environmental Systems was held in Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA on 08 July 2018 through 12 July 2018. Understanding the lunar near-surface distribution of relevant in-situ resources, such as ilmenite (FeTiO3), and volatiles, such as water/ice, is vital to future sustained manned bases. VMMO is a highly-capable, low-cost 12U Cubesat designed for operation in a lunar frozen orbit. It accomodates the LVMM Lunar Volatile and Mineralogy Mapper and the CLAIRE Compact LunAr Ionising Radiation Environment payloads. LVMM is a multi-wavelength Chemical Lidar using fiber lasers emitting at 532nm and 1560nm, with an optional 1064nm channel, for stand-off mapping of the lunar ice distribution using active laser illumination, with a focus on the permanently-shadowed craters in the lunar south pole. This combination of spectral channels can provide sensitive discrimination of water/ice in various regolith. The fiber-laser technology has heritage in the ongoing Fiber Sensor Demonstrator flying on ESA's Proba-2. LVMM can also be used in a low-power passive mode with an added 280nm UV channel to map the lunar mineralogy and ilmenite distribution during the lunar day using the reflected solar illumination. CLAIRE is designed to provide a highly miniaturized radiation environment and effect monitor. CLAIRE draws on heritage from the MuREM and RM payloads, flown on the UK’s TDS-1 spacecraft. The payload includes ...