Abstract The Luna program is not only the first artificial planet (Luna-1), the first hard landin... more Abstract The Luna program is not only the first artificial planet (Luna-1), the first hard landing on the surface of another celestial body (Luna-2), the first images of the Moon Far Side (Luna-3), the first soft landing and the first panoramas of the lunar landscape (Luna-9), the first artificial Moon satellite and the first gamma-ray survey of the lunar surface (Luna-10, Luna-12), and the first lunokhods (Luna-17, Luna-21). However, these are also lunar samples return by Luna-16, Luna-20 and Luna-24. The full cycle of lunar samples return is considered: drilling and soil sampling on the lunar surface, delivery, acceptance and primary processing of lunar soil in the ground-based receiving complex, research methods and the major scientific results. Studies revealed medium-titanium fine- and coarse-grained basalts in the Mare Fecunditatis, low-titanium and high-aluminum basalts in the Mare Crisium, and rocks of anorthosite-troctolite-norite series in a Highland region.
Abstract The paper deals with key problems related to the initial stage of the Moon exploration i... more Abstract The paper deals with key problems related to the initial stage of the Moon exploration in the coming decades. Moon exploration plans are on the agenda of the world's leading powers. Some important issues linked to of the Lunar Base development and the pre-construction studies on the selection of the most suitable regions for the purpose and along with their natural properties are discussed. We consider a scenario in which robots are widely used for further study and exploration of the Moon. The plan includes developing a global geological and geophysical reference network on the lunar surface and use mobile equipment equipped with drilling rigs. Such means (lunar rovers of a new generation) are in demand for the preliminary selection of the most suitable places for the Lunar Base construction as an initial element of the complex lunar infrastructure. Two types of lunar rovers are considered in detail: the prospecting and exploration lunokhod of the middle class “Geologist-Explorer” and the heavy lunokhod “Robot-Geologist”. They are intended to carry out regional geological, geochemical and geophysical surveying, sampling, analysis and comparison of data on the natural conditions of selected areas on promising routes with a radius of up to 500 km on the Near and Far side of the Moon. An important goal is data collection on the availability of such important local resources as water ice, frozen volatile and ore deposits. The issues of safety of humans stay in harsh conditions on the lunar surface and the possibility of protection from external factors are discussed, which plays an important role in the implementation of plans for the future lunar exploration.
The paper discusses the current results of mobile robotic system «Robot-Geologist» development. T... more The paper discusses the current results of mobile robotic system «Robot-Geologist» development. The robot is intended to maintain geological exploration on the surface of the Moon. Distinctive features of the project in comparison with the known planetary rover projects comprise: superior length of the estimated research route up to 500 km; an autonomous control system capable of moving from one point of scientific interest to the other; a wide range of scientific equipment and an extensive program of research, including lunar surface sampling along with drilling and investigation of wells. The key feature of the "Robot-Geologist" is the ability to transport samples in the course of the expedition and upload them to returnable spacecraft. The paper presents a description of the proposed robot concept as a result of the project development.
INTRODUCTION. Small "domes" have been described and discussed previously as the most ab... more INTRODUCTION. Small "domes" have been described and discussed previously as the most abundant geologic feature on the surface of Venus, numbering 2 x 1 0 ~ in the area imaged by Venera 15/16 [I-51, and interpreted to represent dominantly effusive shield volcanoes [2 ,4 ,5 ,6 ] . Based on Venera images, these features were described as circular in planimetric outline, less than 100-200 m in height, diameters most commonly ranging from 2-8 km with a defined maximum of 20 km, and occurring in groups or clusters [I-51. Local concentrations were found to occur in association with coronae, arachnoids, and larger volcanic constructs and calderas [3 ,5 ] . Two major regional concentrations were found to occur approximately 180° in longitude apart centered in Akkruva Colles and Guinevere Planitia [4 ,5 ] . However, resolution of previous data sets was insufficient to determine the detailed surface morphology of these small edifices, occurrence of summit calderas and smallest edific...
Abstract The Luna program is not only the first artificial planet (Luna-1), the first hard landin... more Abstract The Luna program is not only the first artificial planet (Luna-1), the first hard landing on the surface of another celestial body (Luna-2), the first images of the Moon Far Side (Luna-3), the first soft landing and the first panoramas of the lunar landscape (Luna-9), the first artificial Moon satellite and the first gamma-ray survey of the lunar surface (Luna-10, Luna-12), and the first lunokhods (Luna-17, Luna-21). However, these are also lunar samples return by Luna-16, Luna-20 and Luna-24. The full cycle of lunar samples return is considered: drilling and soil sampling on the lunar surface, delivery, acceptance and primary processing of lunar soil in the ground-based receiving complex, research methods and the major scientific results. Studies revealed medium-titanium fine- and coarse-grained basalts in the Mare Fecunditatis, low-titanium and high-aluminum basalts in the Mare Crisium, and rocks of anorthosite-troctolite-norite series in a Highland region.
Abstract The paper deals with key problems related to the initial stage of the Moon exploration i... more Abstract The paper deals with key problems related to the initial stage of the Moon exploration in the coming decades. Moon exploration plans are on the agenda of the world's leading powers. Some important issues linked to of the Lunar Base development and the pre-construction studies on the selection of the most suitable regions for the purpose and along with their natural properties are discussed. We consider a scenario in which robots are widely used for further study and exploration of the Moon. The plan includes developing a global geological and geophysical reference network on the lunar surface and use mobile equipment equipped with drilling rigs. Such means (lunar rovers of a new generation) are in demand for the preliminary selection of the most suitable places for the Lunar Base construction as an initial element of the complex lunar infrastructure. Two types of lunar rovers are considered in detail: the prospecting and exploration lunokhod of the middle class “Geologist-Explorer” and the heavy lunokhod “Robot-Geologist”. They are intended to carry out regional geological, geochemical and geophysical surveying, sampling, analysis and comparison of data on the natural conditions of selected areas on promising routes with a radius of up to 500 km on the Near and Far side of the Moon. An important goal is data collection on the availability of such important local resources as water ice, frozen volatile and ore deposits. The issues of safety of humans stay in harsh conditions on the lunar surface and the possibility of protection from external factors are discussed, which plays an important role in the implementation of plans for the future lunar exploration.
The paper discusses the current results of mobile robotic system «Robot-Geologist» development. T... more The paper discusses the current results of mobile robotic system «Robot-Geologist» development. The robot is intended to maintain geological exploration on the surface of the Moon. Distinctive features of the project in comparison with the known planetary rover projects comprise: superior length of the estimated research route up to 500 km; an autonomous control system capable of moving from one point of scientific interest to the other; a wide range of scientific equipment and an extensive program of research, including lunar surface sampling along with drilling and investigation of wells. The key feature of the "Robot-Geologist" is the ability to transport samples in the course of the expedition and upload them to returnable spacecraft. The paper presents a description of the proposed robot concept as a result of the project development.
INTRODUCTION. Small "domes" have been described and discussed previously as the most ab... more INTRODUCTION. Small "domes" have been described and discussed previously as the most abundant geologic feature on the surface of Venus, numbering 2 x 1 0 ~ in the area imaged by Venera 15/16 [I-51, and interpreted to represent dominantly effusive shield volcanoes [2 ,4 ,5 ,6 ] . Based on Venera images, these features were described as circular in planimetric outline, less than 100-200 m in height, diameters most commonly ranging from 2-8 km with a defined maximum of 20 km, and occurring in groups or clusters [I-51. Local concentrations were found to occur in association with coronae, arachnoids, and larger volcanic constructs and calderas [3 ,5 ] . Two major regional concentrations were found to occur approximately 180° in longitude apart centered in Akkruva Colles and Guinevere Planitia [4 ,5 ] . However, resolution of previous data sets was insufficient to determine the detailed surface morphology of these small edifices, occurrence of summit calderas and smallest edific...
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