Mullard Space Science Laboratory Planetary Micro-Penetrators Dr Rob Gowen on behalf of Glyn Collinson international - Germany, France, Austria, Italy, Poland, Russia, USA

Mullard Space Science Laboratory What are kinetic penetrators ? Penetrator Point of Separation Payload Instruments Detachable Propulsion Stage PDS (Penetrator Delivery System)  Low mass projectiles ~2-13Kg –Lunar A 13.5Kg –DS-2 3.6Kg  High impact speed ~ m/s  Very tough ~10-50kgee  Penetrate surface ~ few metres  Perform important science from below surface

Mullard Space Science Laboratory Penetrator Mission : Europa

Mullard Space Science Laboratory Mars96 (Russia) failed to leave Earth orbit DS2 (Mars) NASA 1999 ? Many paper studies and ground trials    No survivable high velocity impacting probe has been successfully landed on any extraterrestrial body Japanese Lunar-A cancelled (now planned to fly on Russian Lunar Glob) History 

Mullard Space Science Laboratory Military have been successfully firing instrumented projectiles for many years to at least comparable levels of gee forces expected. Target materials mostly concrete and steel 40,000gee qualified electronics exist (re-used !) DS-2 and Lunar-A penetrators – space qualified. When asked to describe the condition of a probe that had impacted 2m of concrete at 300 m/s a UK expert described the device as ‘a bit scratched’ ! UK Heritage and Feasibility

Mullard Space Science Laboratory Examples of hi-gee electronic systems Designed and tested : –Communication systems 36 GHz antenna, receiver and electronic fuze tested to 45 kgee –Dataloggers 8 channel, 1 MHz sampling rate tested to 60 kgee –MEMS devices (accelerometers, gyros) Tested to 50 kgee –MMIC devices Tested to 20 kgee MMIC chip tested to 20 kgee Communication system and electronic fuze tested to 45 kgee

Mullard Space Science Laboratory

Prime Planetary Targets

Mullard Space Science Laboratory Scientific Objectives - Luna Core –Water and volatile detection –Seismology –Accelerometer Desirable –Descent camera –Heat Flow –Geochemistry/XRF –Mineralogy –Radiation Monitor

Mullard Space Science Laboratory Science – Polar Volatiles A suite of instruments will detect and characterise volatiles (including water) within shaded craters at both poles Astrobiologically important –possibly remnant of the original seeding of planets by comets –may provide evidence of important cosmic-ray mediated organic synthesis Vital to the future manned exploration of the Moon NASA Lunar Prospector Prototype, ruggedized ion trap mass-spectrometer Open University

Mullard Space Science Laboratory A global network of seismometers will tell us: –Size and physical state of the Lunar Core –Structure of the Lunar Mantle –Thickness of the far side crust –The origin of the enigmatic shallow moon-quakes –The seismic environment at potential manned landing sites Science – Lunar Seismology

Mullard Space Science Laboratory

Europa Penetrator ‘Payload’ Science Beeping Transmitter –For Earth based VLBI determination of surface ice movement (deformation, seismic vibration) Accelerometer - Determination of ice characteristics and penetration depth. Micro-Seismometers/tilt-meter - Detection of natural (or impact) seismic activity. - Presence and size of an under ice ocean. - ‘cryo-tectonic’ activity Chemical Sensors - Presence, extent, concentration of organics (possible life indicators). - Presence, extent and concentration of other chemical species (minerals, chirality, isotopic abundances ?) Other sensors: Micro-camera (descent, surface), magnetometer, radiation monitor, etc.

Mullard Space Science Laboratory Enceladus  500Km dia. (c.f. with UK)  Fierce south pole plume (ice/dust)  Hi-albedo covering Saturnian moons ?  ‘Atmosphere’ (H 2 O,N 2,CO 2,CH 4 )  Liquid water under surface (life ?) (image from Wikipedia)

Mullard Space Science Laboratory Titan ~50% larger than our Moon Atmosphere ~4x denser that Earth’s at surface Mountains, sand dunes, lakes, geologically young Weather (winds, clouds, precipitation, seasons) Complex organic chemistry Very Earth like ! but cold (Life ?) Fluvial plain dunes (Wikipedia) Cosmic Visions Proposal

Mullard Space Science Laboratory Consortium Status 1.MoonLITE Mission - currently in discussion with BNSC and NASA 2.Europa (LAPLACE) and Titan/Enceladus (TANDEM) ESA Cosmic Vision Proposals – Selected, 18 month study phase commences. 3.Full-scale structure impact trial – March Pre-mission development – Preparing bids for 2 yr development to bring technology ruggedization up to TRL 5.

Mullard Space Science Laboratory End

MoonLITE Deliver penetrators to ejection orbit. provide pre-ejection health status, and relay communications.  Delivery and Comms Spacecraft (Orbiter). Deliver penetrators to ejection orbit. provide pre-ejection health status, and relay communications. 4 Descent Probes (each containing kg penetrator kg de-orbit and attitude control).  Orbiter Payload: 4 Descent Probes (each containing kg penetrator kg de-orbit and attitude control). Globally spaced Far side, Polar region(s), One near an Apollo landing site for calibration.  Landing sites: Globally spaced Far side, Polar region(s), One near an Apollo landing site for calibration. >1 year for seismic network. Other science does not require so long (perhaps a few Lunar cycles for heat flow and volatiles much less).  Duration: >1 year for seismic network. Other science does not require so long (perhaps a few Lunar cycles for heat flow and volatiles much less). Single Body for simplicity and risk avoidance. Battery powered with comprehensive power saving techniques.  Penetrator Design: Single Body for simplicity and risk avoidance. Battery powered with comprehensive power saving techniques Far side Polar comms orbiter