AMSAT-UK : University of Surrey, July MSSL/UCL UK ‘Shoot for the Moon’ MSSL/UCL UK Rob Gowen on behalf of the UK Penetrator Consortium AMSAT-UK: University of Surrey, July Jon Excell, ‘The Engineer’

AMSAT-UK : University of Surrey, July MSSL/UCL UK What are kinetic penetrators ? Penetrator Point of Separation Payload Instruments Detachable Propulsion Stage PDS (Penetrator Delivery System)  Instrumented projectiles  Survive high impact speed  Penetrate surface ~ few metres  An alternative to soft landers  Low mass/lower cost => multi-site deployment

AMSAT-UK : University of Surrey, July MSSL/UCL UK Challenges...  impact survival  communications  power/lifetime/cold  delivery  radiation  funding what the recent trial addressed Need to counter all elements not just impact survival Most difficult

AMSAT-UK : University of Surrey, July MSSL/UCL UK Impact Velocity ?

AMSAT-UK : University of Surrey, July MSSL/UCL UK Impact Velocity ?

AMSAT-UK : University of Surrey, July MSSL/UCL UK Impact Velocity ? 

AMSAT-UK : University of Surrey, July MSSL/UCL UK Impact Velocity ? 

AMSAT-UK : University of Surrey, July MSSL/UCL UK Mars96 (Russia) failed to leave Earth orbit DS2 (Mars) NASA 1999 ?    ‘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 

AMSAT-UK : University of Surrey, July MSSL/UCL UK Feasibility ? – –Lunar-A and DS2 space qualified. – –Military have been successfully firing instrumented projectiles for many years – –Most scientific instruments have space heritage 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’!

AMSAT-UK : University of Surrey, July MSSL/UCL UK MSSL Involvement   ~2002 – became interested in micro-probes   2004 – exploring Aurora route   2005 – ESA Cosmic Visions ( )   Late 2006 – PPARC lunar mission studies   MSSL proposed penetrators   MoonLITE selected for first mission   Simultaneous promotion for Cosmic Vision Area manager... Like riding on the back of a tiger... ‘Inspirational...’ NASA

AMSAT-UK : University of Surrey, July MSSL/UCL UK Payload (2kg)Science Capability Micro seismometerssub-surface ocean, inner body structure (astrobiology, geophysics) Chemistry package (mass spect.)organics and inorganics (astrobiology) Soil/environment package (accelerometers, thermometer, dielectric constant, radiation monitor, magnetometer, pH, Redox) soil mechanical properties, thermal & electrical properties (astrobiology /geophysics) Mineralogy/astrobiology cameraSoil properties/astrobiology Descent cameraImpact site context & PR payload instrumentsMicro-Penetrators

AMSAT-UK : University of Surrey, July MSSL/UCL UK Prime Planetary Targets Moon Europa Enceladus Titan

AMSAT-UK : University of Surrey, July MSSL/UCL UK Europa Subsurface Ocean ? Life ?

AMSAT-UK : University of Surrey, July MSSL/UCL UK Japanese Lunar-A Continuous launch delays Several paper studies Europa

AMSAT-UK : University of Surrey, July MSSL/UCL UK 10Km Europa

AMSAT-UK : University of Surrey, July MSSL/UCL UK 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)

AMSAT-UK : University of Surrey, July MSSL/UCL UK Titan Wikipedia Titan as seen from the Cassini– Huygens spacecraft. WikipediaCassini– Huygens

AMSAT-UK : University of Surrey, July MSSL/UCL UK Titan Wikipedia Titan as seen from the Cassini– Huygens spacecraft. WikipediaCassini– Huygens Dunes Fluvial plain  heavy atmosphere  mountains,  dunes  lakes  weather  winds  clouds  precipitation  seasons  complex organic chemistry  very cold  pre-biotic chemisty ?  life ?

AMSAT-UK : University of Surrey, July MSSL/UCL UK “The Origin and Evolution of Planetary Bodies” “Water and its profound implications for life and exploration” MoonLITE Science & Exploration Objectives “Ground truth & support for future human lunar missions”

AMSAT-UK : University of Surrey, July MSSL/UCL UK MoonLITE Mission  Delivery and Comms Spacecraft (Orbiter).  Payload: 4 penetrator descent probes  Landing sites: Globally spaced - far side - polar region(s) - one near an Apollo landing site for calibration  Duration: >1 year for seismic network Far side Polar comms orbiter

AMSAT-UK : University of Surrey, July MSSL/UCL UK Science & ISRU Objectives 3 Far side lunar base ? –Characterize water, volatiles, and astrobiologically related material at lunar poles. => Water is key to manned missions –Constrain origin, differentiation, 3d internal structure & far side crustal thickness of moon via a seismic network. –Investigate enigmatic strong surface seismic signals => identify potentially dangerous sites for lunar bases –Determine thermal & compositional differences at polar regions and far side. –Obtain ground truth for remote sensing instruments

AMSAT-UK : University of Surrey, July MSSL/UCL UK 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 Micro-seismometer, IC

AMSAT-UK : University of Surrey, July MSSL/UCL UK 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 Prototype, ruggedized ion trap mass-spectrometer Open University NASA Lunar Prospector

AMSAT-UK : University of Surrey, July MSSL/UCL UK Science - Geochemistry   X-ray spectroscopy at multiple, diverse sites will address: – –Lunar Geophysical diversity – –Ground truth for remote sensing XRS on Beagle-2 Leicester University K, Ca, Ti, Fe, Rb, Sr, Zr

AMSAT-UK : University of Surrey, July MSSL/UCL UK Science – Heat Flow Heat flow measurements will be made at diverse sites, telling us: –Information about the composition and thermal evolution of planetary interiors –Whether the Th concentration in the PKT is a surface or mantle phenomina NASA Lunar Prospector

AMSAT-UK : University of Surrey, July MSSL/UCL UK Development Program   Studies   Simulation & Modelling   Impact Trials – –build a real penetrator – –impact it into a sand target at near supersonic speed !

AMSAT-UK : University of Surrey, July MSSL/UCL UK Impact Trial - Objectives  Demonstrate survivability of penetrator shell, accelerometers and power system.  Assess impact on penetrator subsystems and instruments.  Determine internal acceleration environment at different positions within penetrator.  Extend predictive modelling to new impact and penetrator materials.  Assess alternative packing methods.  Assess interconnect philosophy.

AMSAT-UK : University of Surrey, July MSSL/UCL UK Impact Trial: May 2008  Full-scale trial  3 Penetrators, Aluminium  300m/s impact velocity  Normal Incidence  Dry sand target 0.56m 13 Kg … just 9 months from start to end. Starting from scratch in Sep’07

AMSAT-UK : University of Surrey, July MSSL/UCL UK Impact trial - Contributors

AMSAT-UK : University of Surrey, July MSSL/UCL UK Impact trial – Payload Radiation sensor Magnetometers Batteries Mass spectrometer Micro-seismometers Drill assembly Accelerometers Power Interconnection Processing Accelerometers, Thermometer Batteries,Data logger

AMSAT-UK : University of Surrey, July MSSL/UCL UK Trial Hardware Inners Stack

AMSAT-UK : University of Surrey, July MSSL/UCL UK Impact Trial - Configuration  Rocket sled  Penetrator

AMSAT-UK : University of Surrey, July MSSL/UCL UK Target  Dry sand  2m x2m x6m  Small front entrance aperture (polythene)

AMSAT-UK : University of Surrey, July MSSL/UCL UK Real-Time Impact Video

AMSAT-UK : University of Surrey, July MSSL/UCL UK Firing

AMSAT-UK : University of Surrey, July MSSL/UCL UK 1’st Firing - Results Penetrator found in top of target Glanced off a steel girder which radically changed its orientation. Penetration: ~3.9m Much ablation to nose and belly Rear flare quite distorted. Penetrator in one piece ✓ Firing parameters: Impact velocity: 310 m/s (c.f. 300m/s nominal) Nose-up ~8degs (c.f. 0 degs nominal) => worst case

AMSAT-UK : University of Surrey, July MSSL/UCL UK Post Firing belly up !

AMSAT-UK : University of Surrey, July MSSL/UCL UK First Firing – Opening up ssss

AMSAT-UK : University of Surrey, July MSSL/UCL UK 1 st Firing – internal Results Micro seismometer bay Connecting to MSSL accelerometer and data processing bay

AMSAT-UK : University of Surrey, July MSSL/UCL UK 1’srt Firing – QinetiQ accelerometer data Overview: 5 kgee smoothed, ~16 kgee peak high frequency components ~5khz Initial impact hi-res: Tail slap peak

AMSAT-UK : University of Surrey, July MSSL/UCL UK 1’st Firing – MSSL accelerometer data Along axis:  Cutter: 3kgee  Main: 10kgee  Girder: 1kgee Along axis Vertical axis Horizontal axis FiringAlong axis VerticalHorizo ntal 1’st10 kgee15kgee4kgee 3’rd11kgee17kgee7kgee Peak gee forces in rear of penetrator 11 kgee 15 kgee 4 kgee GirderMain impactcutter

AMSAT-UK : University of Surrey, July MSSL/UCL UK Hi-res MSSL accelerometer data Lots of high frequency structure

AMSAT-UK : University of Surrey, July MSSL/UCL UK 2nd Firing “ Jaws-3?”..struck steel girder and moved it 6 inches

AMSAT-UK : University of Surrey, July MSSL/UCL UK Firings Overview  All 3 firings remarkably consistent ~ m/s velocity, and ~8 degs nose up.  All 3 Penetrators survived & Payloads still operational. Steel nose for 3rd firing

AMSAT-UK : University of Surrey, July MSSL/UCL UK Survival Table ItemFiring 1Firing 2Firing 3 Penetrator ✓✓✓ Q-accel sys ✓✓✓ Rad sensor ✓not present Batteries ✓not present Drill assembly ✓not present Magnetometer ✓not present Micro seismometers not present✓ (protected suspensions ok) Mass spectrometer + other package elements not present✓ x pressure sensor x 3ų heating element ✓ x pressure sensor ✓ 6ų heating element MSSL accel sys ✓✓✓ Triple worst case: exceed 300m/s, >8deg attack angle No critical failures – currently all minor to unprotected bays or preliminary mountings

AMSAT-UK : University of Surrey, July MSSL/UCL UK Impact Trial Objectives Demonstrate survivability of penetrator body, accelerometers and power system. Demonstrate survivability of penetrator body, accelerometers and power system. Assess impact on penetrator subsystems and instruments. Assess impact on penetrator subsystems and instruments. Determine internal acceleration environment at different positions within penetrator. Determine internal acceleration environment at different positions within penetrator. Extend predictive modelling to new penetrator materials, and impact materials. Extend predictive modelling to new penetrator materials, and impact materials. Assess alternative packing methods. Assess alternative packing methods. Assess interconnect philosophy. Assess interconnect philosophy.

AMSAT-UK : University of Surrey, July MSSL/UCL UK Next Steps & Strategy …  Next trial – aiming for Jun’09.  Impact into closer representative lunar regolith  Design for Moon  Full-up system (all operating)  Transmit from target Strategy: in parallel :- - MoonLITE Phase-A ‾Delta developments for icy planets

AMSAT-UK : University of Surrey, July MSSL/UCL UK - End - Penetrator website:

AMSAT-UK : University of Surrey, July MSSL/UCL UK Penetrator Payload/Science A nominal 2kg payload …  Accelerometers – Probe surface/sub-surface material (hardness/composition)  Seismometers - Probe interior structure (existence/size of water reservoirs) and seismic activity of bodies  Chemical sensors – Probe surface refactory/volatile (organic/ astrobiologic) chemicals, perhaps arising from interior.  Thermal sensors - Determine subsurface temperatures and possibly probe deep interior processes.  Mineralogy/astrobiology camera – Probe surface mineralogy and possible astrobiological material.  + other instruments – to probe surface magnetic field, radiation, beeping transmitter, etc…  descent camera (surface morphology, landing site location, etc)

AMSAT-UK : University of Surrey, July MSSL/UCL UK Enceladus - Science/Technology Requirements  Target –E.g. region of upwelled interior material. –2 penetrators would allow additional target, improved seismic results and natural redundancy but require 2xmass.  Lifetime –Only minutes/hours required for camera, accelerometer, chemistry, thermal & mineralogy/astrobiologic measurements. –An orbital period (~few days) for seismic measurements. (requires RHU)  Spacecraft support –~7-9 years cruise phase, health reporting  Delivery –Targetting precision. –Ejection, descent motors & orientation, pre-impact separation, communications, impact.  Operation –Power/thermal (battery/RHU), data handling, communications.

AMSAT-UK : University of Surrey, July MSSL/UCL UK Preliminary Mass Estimates Item Enceladus EnceladusTitanOrbitDeploymentTitanBalloonDeployment Penetrator (inc. 2 kg payload) ~4.5Kg ~4.5Kg Delivery system(*) ~32Kg~3.5-23Kg~2.5Kg Spacecraft support ~2.5Kg ~2.5Kg ~ Kg ~ Kg ~1.5Kg ~1.5Kg Total mass ~39Kg~12-30kg~8.5Kg (*) heavy penalty for Enceladus delivery: estimate ~8x(penetrator mass) with deployment from Titan with ∆V~3.7Km/sec