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"Lunar exploration"
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Development and Testing of a Compact Remote Time-Gated Raman Spectrometer for In Situ Lunar Exploration
Raman spectroscopy is capable of precisely identifying and analyzing the composition and properties of samples collected from the lunar surface, providing crucial data support for lunar scientific research. However, in situ Raman spectroscopy on the lunar surface faces challenges such as weak Raman scattering from targets, alongside requirements for lightweight and long-distance detection. To address these challenges, time-gated Raman spectroscopy (TG-LRS) based on a passively Q-switched pulsed laser and a linear intensified charge-coupled device (ICCD), which enable simultaneous signal amplification and background suppression, has been developed to evaluate the impact of key operational parameters on Raman signal detection and to explore miniaturization optimization. The TG-LRS system includes a 40 mm zoom telescope, a passively Q-switched 532 nm pulsed laser, a fiber optic delay line, a miniature spectrometer, and a linear ICCD detector. It achieves an electronic gating width under 20 ns. Within a detection range of 1.1–3.0 m, the optimal delay time varies linearly from 20 to 33 ns. Raman signal intensity increases with image intensifier gain, while the signal-to-noise ratio peaks at a gain range of 800–900 V before declining. Furthermore, the effects of focal depth, telescope aperture, laser energy, and integration time were studied. The Raman spectra of lunar minerals were successfully obtained in the lab, confirming the system’s ability to suppress solar background light. This demonstrates the feasibility of in situ Raman spectroscopy on the lunar surface and offers strong technical support for future missions.
Journal Article
Resource-Exploration-Oriented Lunar Rocks Monocular Detection and 3D Pose Estimation
Lunar in situ resource utilization is a core goal in lunar exploration, with accurate lunar rock pose estimation being essential. To address the challenges posed by the lack of texture features and extreme lighting conditions, this study proposes the Simulation-YOLO-Hourglass-Transformer (SYHT) method. The method enhances accuracy and robustness in complex lunar environments, demonstrating strong adaptability and excellent performance, particularly in conditions of extreme lighting and scarce texture. This approach provides valuable insights for object pose estimation in lunar exploration tasks and lays the foundation for lunar resource development. First, the YOLO-Hourglass-Transformer (YHT) network is used to extract keypoint information from each rock and generate the corresponding 3D pose. Then, a lunar surface imaging physics simulation model is employed to generate simulated lunar rock data for testing the method. The experimental results show that the SYHT method performs exceptionally well on simulated lunar rock data, achieving a mean per-joint position error (MPJPE) of 37.93 mm and a percentage of correct keypoints (PCK) of 99.94%, significantly outperforming existing methods. Finally, transfer learning experiments on real-world datasets validate its strong generalization capability, highlighting its effectiveness for lunar rock pose estimation in both simulated and real lunar environments.
Journal Article
Operational Tests for Delay-Tolerant Network between the Moon and Earth Using the Korea Pathfinder Lunar Orbiter in Lunar Orbit
The Korea Pathfinder Lunar Orbiter (KPLO) was launched on 5 August 2022, equipped on the SpaceX Falcon 9 launch vehicle. At present, the KPLO is effectively carrying out its scientific mission in lunar orbit. The KPLO serves as a cornerstone for the development and validation of Korean space science and deep space technology. Among its payloads is the DTNPL, enabling the first-ever test of delay-tolerant network (DTN) technology for satellites in lunar orbit. DTN technology represents a significant advancement in space communication, offering stable communication capabilities characterized by high delay tolerance, reliability, and asymmetric communication speeds—a necessity for existing satellite and space communication systems to evolve. In this paper, we briefly give an overview of the Korea Lunar Exploration Program (KLEP) and present scientific data gathered through the KPLO mission. Specifically, we focus on the operational tests for DTN-ION conducted for message and file transfer, as well as real-time video streaming, during the initial operations of the KPLO. Lastly, this study offers insights and lessons learned from KPLO DTNPL operations, with the goal of providing valuable guidance for future advancements in space communication.
Journal Article
Moon rush: the new space race
\"It seems a foregone conclusion: We will set foot on the Moon once more. Let this provocative, timely book by veteran space journalist Leonard David be your guide as it happens. Against an inspiring backdrop of history, science, and technology, he explains the explorations, enterprises, and most pressing issues surrounding our lunar satellite today ... \"--Back cover.
BOOK
A Measurement Method for Cislunar Spacecraft Based on Connected Element Interferometry and BeiDou-3 Interplanetary Link in Future Lunar Exploration
To meet the urgent need for high-precision tracking and reliable cataloging of non-cooperative targets in the Earth–Moon space, this paper proposes a GNSS Inter-Satellite Link and Connected Element Interferometry (CEI)-based measurement method for high-value cislunar space targets. Firstly, the general flow and basic scenario of the proposed method are given, followed by the mathematical model which, mainly includes four parts: (i) dynamical constraint equations for targets; (ii) GNSS-based interplanetary link for irradiation of targets; (iii) transmission loss equation of GNSS inter-satellite link signal in Earth–Moon space; (iv) CEI-based precision measurements of targets. On this basis, the full process link budget analysis is carried out, followed by the performance evaluation, which includes the reception performance of CEI receiving arrays and the measurement accuracy of targets. The feasibility of the proposed method is evaluated and verified in experiments, and it is illustrated that (i) for inter-satellite link visibility analysis, at least 20 satellites can simultaneously provide inter-satellite link signals to the Earth–Moon space targets, with a single GEO satellite up to 8.5 h continuously, while the chain access can be available at up to 73,000 km, with the angle ranging from −80∘ to 360∘; (ii) the Max Duration of Chain Access for BD3-lunarprobe-CEI (from 24 March 2023 04:00:00.000 to 31 March 2023 10:00:00.000) is 50,998.804 s/day, with a Total Duration of 358,408.797 s in 7 days; (iii) for link budget and measurement accuracy analysis, even beyond the farthest Earth–Moon Lagrangian point, the C/N0 will be above 56.1 dBHZ, while even approaching the distances of 4.5×105km, the σDLL and σFLL will be below 5.345 m and 3.475×10−4 m/s, respectively, and the final measurement error will remain at 62.5 m with the proposed method. The findings of this paper could play a key role in future increasingly serious space missions, such as Earth–Moon space situational awareness, and will have a broad application prospect, if put into actual testing and operations.
Journal Article
Hasselblad & the moon landing
On 20 July 1969, as part of the Apollo 11 space program, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first people ever to set foot on the Moon. Their iconic 'giant leap' was captured forever by the camera the astronauts carried with them: the Hasselblad 500EL. 'Hasselblad & the moon landing' looks at the history of the Apollo 11 mission through the lens of the Hasselblad and narrates the parallel tale of the challenge to create a camera that could work in space. While the Apollo 11 astronauts left their three cameras behind on the Moon, they brought back film magazines containing 1,400 photographs. The finest of these are shown alongside the mission timeline and transcripts of the conversations between the astronauts and Mission Control.
Book
Primary scientific results of Chang’E-1 lunar mission
The strategic plan for the development of the unmanned Chinese Lunar Exploration Program is characterized by three distinct stages: “orbiting around”, “landing on” and “returning from” the Moon. The first Chinese lunar probe, Chang’E-1, which was successfully launched on October 24th, 2007 at Xichang Satellite Launch Center, and guided to crash on the Moon on March 1st, 2009, at 52.36°E, 1.50°S, in the north of Mare Fecunditatis, is the first step towards the “orbiting around” stage. The Chang’E-1 mission lasted 495 days, exceeding the expected life-span by about four months. A total of 1.37 TB raw data was received from Chang’E-1. It was then processed into 4 TB scientific data products at various levels. Many scientific results have been obtained by analyzing these data, including especially the “global lunar image from the first Chinese lunar exploration mission”. All scientific goals of Chang’E-1 have been achieved. It provides much useful materials for further advances of lunar sciences and planetary chemistry. Meanwhile, these results will serve as a firm basis for future Chinese lunar missions.
Journal Article