CT-3 Science
The Blue Origin Blue Moon Mark 1 (MK1) lander will ship two NASA science payloads to the lunar south pole.
Finding out the South Pole
Descending Into Science
The lunar floor is uneven, rocky, and unforgiving. Touchdown deliveries safely and securely requires acute consciousness of the terrain and its response to a lander’s descent plumes. Our science payloads on CT-3 will present thorough descent information that can profit future lunar exploration missions for years to return.
Science and Exploration Objectives
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{Photograph} a Lunar Descent
We all know lander descents disturb the lunar floor, however to enhance the success and stability of future landings and floor missions, we have to higher perceive precisely how the descent alters the touchdown space. SCALPSS will obtain this through the use of its superior digicam array to extensively seize movies and photographs of the lunar floor and lander earlier than, throughout, and after the descent. This may present our scientists with an enormous quantity of helpful information together with a 3D view of the floor.
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Examine Ejecta Conduct and Properties
Lander descents ship ejecta flying in all places. By finding out the ejecta habits with SCALPSS, we’ll acquire insights into bodily properties of floor supplies which can present context for future examinations of floor supplies.
SCALPSS 1.x
Stereo Cameras for Lunar Plume-Floor Research
PIs: Robert Maddock and Joseph Atkinson, LaRC
All eyes on the lunar floor! SCALPSS 1.x is an array of high-resolution cameras that can accumulate imagery throughout descent. Along with offering details about regolith response to high-power lander thrust, the stereographic photogrammetry will produce overlapping photos that can enable researchers to assemble a 3D view of the floor. Knowledge supplied by SCALPSS will assist information expertise design for the subsequent technology of lunar exploration.
LRA
Laser Retroreflector Array
PI: Dr. Xiaoli Solar, GSFC
The Laser Retroreflector Array (LRA) is the last word sidekick to any lunar floor payload. Payload-collected information wants exact areas to maximise its effectiveness and accuracy, and LRA does precisely that. LRA makes use of mirrored laser gentle from orbiting spacecraft to find out its precise location, together with a exact distance to Earth.
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