Searching for Water Ice at the Lunar North Pole Using High-Resolution Images and RadarPermanently shadowed regions (PSRs) at the lunar poles are potential reservoirs of frozen volatiles, and are therefore high-priority exploration targets. PSRs trap water and other volatiles because their annual maximum temperatures (40-100K) are lower than the sublimation temperatures of these species (i.e. H2O approx.104K). Previous studies using various remote sensing techniques have not been able to definitively characterize the distribution or abundance of ice in lunar PSRs. The purpose of this study is to search for signs of ice in PSRs using two complimentary remote sensing techniques: radar and visible images.
Document ID
20170001956
Acquisition Source
Johnson Space Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Mitchell, J. L. (Arizona State Univ. Tempe, AZ, United States)
Lawrence, S. J. (NASA Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)
Robinson, M. S. (Arizona State Univ. Tempe, AZ, United States)
Speyerer, E. J. (Arizona State Univ. Tempe, AZ, United States)
Denevi, B. W. (Johns Hopkins Univ. Laurel, MD, United States)