Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) Overview

Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) OverviewThe Instrument Suite and Mission Status

Gordon Chin – LRO Project ScientistNASA Goddard Space Flight Center

9th ILEWG International Conference onExploration and Utilization of the Moon

Sorrento, ItalyOctober 22-26, 2007

9th ILEWG International Conference onExploration and Utilization of the Moon

Sorrento, ItalyOctober 22-26, 2007

Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Mission Objectives


Safe Landing Sites• High resolution

imagery • Global geodetic grid • Topography• Rock abundances

Safe Landing Sites• High resolution

imagery • Global geodetic grid • Topography• Rock abundances

Locate Potential Resources• Hydrogen/water at the

lunar poles• Continuous solar energy• Mineralogy

Space Environment• Energetic

particles• Neutrons

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NASA’s Vision For Space Exploration LRO’s Role

NASA’s Vision For Space Exploration LRO’s Role

The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) is NASA’s first step in returning humans to the Moon.

The LRO mission will enable future exploration and also return lunar data that will significantly advance lunar and planetary science.

LRO focuses on identifying safe landing sites, locates lunar resources, and studies how the lunar radiation environment will affect humans.

LRO will create the comprehensive atlas of the Moon’s features and resources necessary to design and build the lunar outpost.

The LRO payload, comprised of six instruments and one technology demonstration, will provide unique and the most comprehensive data set ever returned from the Moon.

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Safe Landing SitesHigh resolution imagery

Global geodetic grid Topography

Rock abundances

Safe Landing SitesHigh resolution imagery

Global geodetic grid Topography

Rock abundances

Locate Potential ResourcesHydrogen/water at the lunar poles

Continuous solar energyMineralogy

Space EnvironmentEnergetic particles

Neutrons

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Luna

Surveyor

Apollo

“Top 10” Lunar Exploration Sites+

LRO Enables Global Lunar Surface AccessLRO Enables Global Lunar Surface Access

Near Side Far Side

+

+

++

+

+

1112 14

15 17

16

5631

7

24

21

20

17

16

13

9

3Aristarchus Plateau

OceanusProcellarum

Mare TranquillitatisRima Bode

Orientale BasinFloor

+Mare Smythii

+Central Farside

Highlands

South Pole-Aitken BasinFloor

South Pole+

North Pole+

Apollo 15-17 Panoramic Camera(unregistered)

Current Apollo heritage image set onlyCovers 4 of 10 ESAS sites.

LRO Global Topography, Imagery and Resource Maps

LRO 1m Landing Site Images

LRO extends coverage to entire Moon Most other high priority sites identified lie outside Apollo heritage area

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LRO Project Implementing Organizations

LRO Project Implementing Organizations

NASA HQ ESMDProgram Level Management

Level 1 Requirements

GSFC LRO ProjectMission ManagementMission Operations

Spacecraft BusGround Data System

KSCLaunch Services

(Lockheed Martin)

Boston University/MITCRaTER

Arizona State University/MSSSLROC

GSFCLOLA

Southwest Research InstituteLAMP

UCLA/JPLDiviner

Federal Space Agency of Russia/Russian Institute for Space

ResearchLEND

Naval Air Warfare Command/SOMDMini-RF

MSFCLPRP Program Office

Instrument Navigation/Landing Site Safety Locate Resources Life in Space

Environment

CRaTERCosmic Ray Telescope for the Effects of Radiation

• High Energy Radiation

• Radiation effects on human tissue

DLREDiviner Lunar RadiometerExperiment

• Rock abundance• Temperature• Mineralogy

LAMPLyman Alpha Mapping Project

• Surface Ice• Image Dark Craters

LENDLunar Exploration Neutron Detector

• Subsurface Hydrogen Enhancement

• Localization of Enhancement

• Neutron Radiation Environment

LOLALunar Orbiter Laser Altimeter

• Slopes• Topography/Rock

Abundance• Geodesy

• Simulation of Lighting Conditions

• Crater Topography• Surface Ice Reflectivity

LROCLunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera

• Rock hazards• Small craters

• Polar Illumination Movies

• Mineralogy

Mini-RFTechnology Demonstration

8

Russia Contributes to LRO with LENDRussia Contributes to LRO with LEND

Signing of LEND Interim Agreement during SPACE WEEK in Moscow - Oct 2007

Mitrofanov & Chin meet the Russian press

Griffin (NASA) Perminov (Roskosmos)

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LRO has international partnersLRO has international partners

• IKI provides LEND instrument to LRO– Russian student exchange with University of Maryland for LEND

data analysis

• KAGUYA data exchange & coordination with LRO– V-SAT farside gravity measurements– Laser altimetry data for high latitudes– HDTV images for education and public outreach– KAGUYA launch blog for the Planetary Society

• SMART-1– LCROSS impact site characterization– Education and public outreach cooperation

• Chandrayaan-1 has an instrument similar to LRO’s Mini-RF with unique opportunity for coordinated observations

• IKI provides LEND instrument to LRO– Russian student exchange with University of Maryland for LEND

data analysis

• KAGUYA data exchange & coordination with LRO– V-SAT farside gravity measurements– Laser altimetry data for high latitudes– HDTV images for education and public outreach– KAGUYA launch blog for the Planetary Society

• SMART-1– LCROSS impact site characterization– Education and public outreach cooperation

• Chandrayaan-1 has an instrument similar to LRO’s Mini-RF with unique opportunity for coordinated observations

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LRO SpacecraftLRO Spacecraft

Solar Array (Deployed)

Lunar Exploration Neutron Detector (LEND)

Mini-RF Technology Demo

Instrument Module(LOLA, LROC, LAMP)

High Gain Antenna System

Cosmic Ray Telescope for the Effects of Radiation

(CRaTER)

Diviner Lunar Radiometer Experiment (DLRE)

Spacecraft Bus

ACS Thruster Module (1 of 4)

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Half of LRO Mass is PropellantLRO’s Data Volume is EnormousHalf of LRO Mass is Propellant

LRO’s Data Volume is Enormous

LRO Orbiter Characteristics

Mass (CBE) 1823 kgDry: 924 kg, Fuel: 898 kg (1263 m/sec)

Orbit Average Bus Power 681 W

Data Volume,Max Downlink rate

459 Gigabits/day, 100 Megabits/sec

Pointing Accuracy, Knowledge

60, 30 arc-sec

Solar Array (Deployed)

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LRO Mission OverviewLRO Mission Overview

Launch in late 2008 on a Atlas V.

Co-manifested with LCROSS lunar impactor mission.

Direct insertion trajectory to the Moon

Propulsion system used to insert into and maintain 50 km mean altitude circular polar orbit around the Moon.

Orbiter is a 3-axis stabilized, nadir pointed spacecraft.

Data products delivered to Planetary Data Systems (PDS) within 6 months of primary mission completion.

Baseline 1 year mission with extended mission options.

Launch in late 2008 on a Atlas V.

Co-manifested with LCROSS lunar impactor mission.

Direct insertion trajectory to the Moon

Propulsion system used to insert into and maintain 50 km mean altitude circular polar orbit around the Moon.

Orbiter is a 3-axis stabilized, nadir pointed spacecraft.

Data products delivered to Planetary Data Systems (PDS) within 6 months of primary mission completion.

Baseline 1 year mission with extended mission options.

LRO

LCROSS

4.00 m

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LRO Mission OverviewLRO Mission Overview

Minimum EnergyLunar Transfer ~ 4 Days

Lunar Orbit InsertionSequence, 4-6 Days

Commissioning Phase,30 x 216 km AltitudeQuasi-Frozen Orbit,

Up to 60 Days

Polar Mapping Phase,50 km Altitude Circular Orbit,

At least 1 Year

Current Launch Schedule: October 28, 2008

Nominal End of Mission: February 2010

LRO Speed and Distance Relative to Earth

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LRO Trans-Lunar Trajectory (Looking down on N Pole)

Earth

Moon

LRO Trajectory

LRO Trans-Lunar Trajectory (Looking down on N Pole)

Earth

Moon

LRO Trajectory

LRO Speed and Distance Relative to Earth

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LRO is in an intense phase of developmentLRO is in an intense phase of development

2005 2006 2007 2008 2009Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4

Program Control

LRO Mission Milestones

LRO S/C Des/Fab/Build

CRaTER

DLRE

LAMP

LEND

LROC

LOLA

Mini-RF

GS/MO DevelopmentImplemention & Test

Integration and Test

Ship/Launch Site Ops

Flight Operations

9/27SRR 11/6CDR PER 10/28 AOSelect 4/27

IAR IPDR PDR

NAR IBR

6/17

FORR

10/24

LRRFLT Batteryto I&T

PDR (9/28) CDR (6/26) PER (10/5-TBD)

(Del) to GSFC(12/17)

PDR (9/14) CDR (5/18) PER (7/31)

(Del) to GSFC(12/3)

PER (9/12) CDR (4/13) PER (6/6-completed)


PDR (9/21) CDR (6/12) PER (8/28-TBD)


PDR (9/8) CDR (5/31)

DPDR (10/5) CDR (7/13) PER (8/23-TBD)


PDR (5/11) CDR (2/20) PER (TBD)


Network Decision Regt's Peer Review

Mission ConOps (Final)

Mission Ops TestingRehearsals/Excercises (complete)

I&T Start

LRO Ready for Ship to KSC

Nominal Mission (end)

CY

Testing

Test/Align/Fuel/Install

Phase B

ITP

GS Release #1

S-Band AwardS.Array

WS1 TestReadiness

GS Release #2GS Release #3(GS Freeze)

(start) Integ.

Extended Mission

ITP Readyfor Integ.

IM Readyfor Integ.

PM Ready for Integ.

Orbiter Integ.(complete)

Orbiter Testing(complete)

Envir. Testing

LAUNCH

5/176 complete(MRF 2/20)

PSR LAUNCH

Solar ModBattery Award

Phase B Phase C Phase D

GNC HWAwarded

ICDR

10/6 2/7 6/28

Commissioning Complete

8/144/3

PSE KaPM

9/14MOR

WAC/SCS & NAC#1 (1/7)

NAC#2(2/4)

(LROC PER 10/31-TBD)

19

LRO Flight Components LRO Flight Components

ETU Avionics Module Radiator Received

Avionics Module Harness Assembly

LRO Solar Array Panel

LRO Flight TWT LRO HGA Main Reflector

Ka-Band Horn &

Polarizer

S-Band Omni Antennas

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LRO Spacecraft Hardware Elements to be integratedLRO Spacecraft Hardware Elements to be integrated

Flight Propulsion Module Assembly

Flight Instrument Module prepared for testing

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LRO Cable Mockup and Spacecraft BusLRO Cable Mockup and Spacecraft Bus

Solar Array Substrate Pre-Solar cells

ETU Reaction Wheel Set Up for Testing

Gimbal Control Electronics EM#1

C&HD (Spacecraft Computer) ETU #1

Spacecraft Flight Power Electronics in Assembly

LRO Spacecraft Mock-upLRO Battery Module

Star Tracker in Testing

Flight Propulsion Module Assembly Flight S/C Bus

Flight Avionics Panel prior to T-VAC

Flight Instrument Module prepared

for testing

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LRO Instrument Development StatusLRO Instrument Development Status

LOLA Engineering Model Receiver TelescopeCRaTER Engineering Model

LOLA Optical Transceiver

Assembly HousingLAMP Flight Unit

23

LRO Instrument Development StatusLRO Instrument Development Status

LROC Flight Module Narrow Angle Camera Tube

LROC Flight Module Primary Mirror in Polishing Machine

Mini-RF Flight Antenna

24

Sample of September LRO AccomplishmentsSample of September LRO Accomplishments

Diviner Flight Baffles Installed on OBA Signing of LEND Interim Agreement Flight PSE Cards in Test

Mini-RF Flight Antenna LAMP MLI Blanket Installation

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LRO Ground System Development StatusLRO Ground System Development Status

S Band Tracking & TelemetryStations

Ka-S Band AntennaAt White Sands Mission Operations Center

at NASA GSFC

SOUTH POINT, HAWAII

DONGARA, AUSTRALIA

WEILHEIM,GERMANY

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LRO Ground Segment OverviewLRO Ground Segment Overview

• Mission Operations Center & Flight Dynamics Facility at GSFC

• Primary Ground Station at White Sands (Ka & S-Band)

• Global S-Band TT&C provided by NASA GN & SN.

• Science Operations Centers (SOC) at PI institutions

• S-band tracking augmented by laser ranging system to improve accuracy.

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Expected LRO Data VolumesExpected LRO Data Volumes

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LRO Project Science Working Group Meeting (PSWG) convened representatives of many nations

LRO Project Science Working Group Meeting (PSWG) convened representatives of many nations

East West Center, University of Hawaii28-30 November 2006

Prof. Kato, KAGUYA Chief Scientist

Bernard Foing ESA/ILEWG Bernard Foing ESA/ILEWG Prof. Mitrofanov, LRO LEND PI

11/29/2007

The format of the PSWG meeting has both plenary and breakout sessions and is designed to:The format of the PSWG meeting has both plenary and breakout sessions and is designed to:

• Capture the collective wisdom from all participants– Greater emphasis on discussion rather than

presentations– Facilitator solicits discussions from diverse points of

view– Reporter captures discussion while enabling the

facilitator – Presentations bring breakout results to plenary for

consensus and further comments

• Formulate strategies for implementation – In a nutshell - Opportunities, Obstacles, and Options

• Capture the collective wisdom from all participants– Greater emphasis on discussion rather than

presentations– Facilitator solicits discussions from diverse points of

view– Reporter captures discussion while enabling the

facilitator – Presentations bring breakout results to plenary for

consensus and further comments

• Formulate strategies for implementation – In a nutshell - Opportunities, Obstacles, and Options

11/29/2007

Five breakout sessions on topics for potential international collaboration & cooperation among all lunar missionsFive breakout sessions on topics for potential international collaboration & cooperation among all lunar missions

1. Employing a standard lunar coordinate systemMaria Zuber, Facilitator Brent Archinal & Lisa Gaddis, Recorders

2. Establishing a standard set of calibration targets for instrument calibration and comparison

Carle Pieters, Facilitator David Smith, Recorder

3. Formulating opportunities for scientific collaborations among missionsAlan Stern, Facilitator John Keller, Recorder

4. Facilitating international access of data from all missions in a standard format

Susan Slavney, FacilitatorEd Guiness, Recorder

5. Coordinating a program of international education and public outreach (EPO) based on lunar exploration

Cherilynn Morrow, Facilitator Stephanie Stockman, Recorder

1. Employing a standard lunar coordinate systemMaria Zuber, Facilitator Brent Archinal & Lisa Gaddis, Recorders

2. Establishing a standard set of calibration targets for instrument calibration and comparison

Carle Pieters, Facilitator David Smith, Recorder

3. Formulating opportunities for scientific collaborations among missionsAlan Stern, Facilitator John Keller, Recorder

4. Facilitating international access of data from all missions in a standard format

Susan Slavney, FacilitatorEd Guiness, Recorder

5. Coordinating a program of international education and public outreach (EPO) based on lunar exploration

Cherilynn Morrow, Facilitator Stephanie Stockman, Recorder

The LRO Education and Public Outreach Plan

Stephanie Stockman

SSAI-NASA GSFC

JAXA & LRO supported a blog of the KAGUYA Launch for The Planetary Society

Can we do more of this among the international missions for a broader world-wide audience?

KAGUYA Launched 14 Sept 2007Tanegashima, Japan

http://www.planetary.org/explore/topics/kaguya/launch_blog.html

A PROPOSED STRATEGY FOR INTERNATIONAL LRO EPO COORDINATION

derived from the results of the International EPO Breakout Group (C. Morrow, facilitator) at the November 2006 LRO Project Science Working Group Meeting in Honolulu, HI

LRO EPO

INTERNATIONALPROFESSIONAL SOCIETIES &

WORKING GROUPS

GLOBALIZINGEPO PROGRAMS

INTERNATIONALYEARS & DECADES

INTERNATIONALLUNAR MISSIONS

• Intl Planetarium Society• Planetary Society• Intl Lunar Exploration WG• LRO Project Science WG• AGU/EGU• Etc..

• GLOBE• Networks of remote telescopes

• Lunar Student Imaging• JPL’s Visualization Alliance (Sci Centers & Planetariums)

• SMART-1’s Images & Adopt-a-Crater • SELENE’s High-Definition TV images• M3 EPO for Chandrayaan• European Student Moon Orbiter• etc.

• UN Basic Space Science in Developing Countries• International Lunar Decade• International Heliophysical Year & International Polar Year• International Year of Planet Earth• International Year of Astronomy

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SummarySummary

• Important initial steps taken

• Important to keep the momentum of the LRO PSWG going

• Keep on talking to as many international missions and organizations as possible

• Meeting report published in Chin, Keller and Morrow, “Lunar Planetary Information Bulletin, May 2007, Issue 110,”downloadable www.lpi.usra.edu./lpib

• Important initial steps taken

• Important to keep the momentum of the LRO PSWG going

• Keep on talking to as many international missions and organizations as possible

• Meeting report published in Chin, Keller and Morrow, “Lunar Planetary Information Bulletin, May 2007, Issue 110,”downloadable www.lpi.usra.edu./lpib

Documents

Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) Overview