[FPSPACE] German lunar orbiter probe mission

[LARRY KLAES]

LUNAR MISSION "MADE IN GERMANY" TO GIVE UNIQUE VIEW OF MOON



The latest plans for the Lunar Explorations Orbiter (LEO), a German lunar

mission due for launch in 2012, will be presented on Wednesday 22nd August

at the European Planetary Science Congress, Potsdam



Professor Ralf Jaumann, from the German aerospace centre DLR, said "The

Lunar Explorations Orbiter will be a unique mission. It will consist of two

spacecraft flying in formation and taking simultaneous measurements, which

will give us the first three-dimensional view of the Moon’s magnetic and

gravitation field. It will also give us the first opportunity to study these

fields on the far site of the Moon. In addition LEO will give us a very

detailed picture of the lunar surface and also the structure of the lunar

regolith, layers of crushed rocks that extend about 100 metres beneath the

lunar surface, and the boundary with the bed-rock beneath."



The main satellite, which will weigh about 500 kilograms, is paired with a

small sub-satellite, which weighs about 150 kilograms and will carry

duplicates of the experiments to measure the lunar gravitational and

magnetic fields. At present, feasibility studies for construction of the

satellite and sub-satellite are being carried out by German industry.

Following the presentation of their results in October, a final, costed

mission proposal will be presented to the German government.



The main satellite will carry a microwave radar will give a new 'view'

beneath the lunar surface up to a depth of a few hundred metres.  At maximum

depths the radar will be able to resolve structures two metres across and

within the top two metres it will show the formation of the regolith on a

millimetre scale.  Professor Jaumann said, "The layering in the lunar

regolith is caused by impacts, which scatter material across the Moon’s

surface.  Our radar experiment will reveal the distribution of rocks and

particles in minute detail near the surface and will allow us to reveal the

history of impacts on the Moon as we probe to increasing depths.



LEO will also carry remote sensing instruments that will create high

resolution maps of the entire lunar surface in stereo and multispectral

bands.  The mission is planned to last four years, which means that there

will be opportunities to create multiple stereo views of the Moon. This long

duration also means that LEO can study new impacts, both by looking for new

craters and detecting impact events and dust directly with the flash

detection camera, SPOSH. Professor Jaumann said, "Altogether, the Lunar

Explorations Orbiter concept is technologically challenging but feasible."



With LEO, the team hopes to further establish Germany as a key player among

space-faring nations and demonstrate expertise and technological know-how

"Made in Germany".



"With its high profile, LEO should encourage the growing acceptance of space

exploration in Germany and will capture the imagination of the general

public," said Professor Jaumann.



FURTHER INFORMATION

DLR homepage: http://www.dlr.de/en/



CONTACT

Professor Ralf Jaumann

Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR)

Institut für Planetenforschung

Rutherfordstraße 2

12489 Berlin

Tel: +49 (0)30 67055400

Mobil: +49 (0)170 5621965

E-mail: ralf.jaumann at dlr.de