Architecting a mission plan for Lunar ObserverThe present status of NASA's Lunar Observer study effort at JPL is discussed in the context of an ongoing 20-year series of studies focused on defining a robotic, low-altitude, polar-orbiting mission to the moon. The primary emphasis of the discussion is a review of the various systems-level factors that drive the overall architecture of the mission plan. Selected top-level project and science requirements are summarized and the current mission and science objectives are presented. A brief description of the candidate science instrument complement is included. Several significant orbital effects caused by the lunar gravity field are explained and the variety of trajectory and maneuver options considered for both getting to the moon and orbiting there are described. Several candidate mission architectures are outlined and the mission plans chosen for future study are described. Two mission options result: a single-spacecraft, single-launch scenario, and a multiple-spacecraft, multiple-launch concept.
Document ID
19930033913
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Ridenoure, Rex W. (JPL Pasadena, CA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 15, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1991
Publication Information
Publication: In: Spaceflight mechanics 1991; Proceedings of the 1st AAS(AIAA Annual Spaceflight Mechanics Meeting, Houston, TX, Feb. 11-13, 1991. Pt. 1 (A93-17901 05-13)