Shoot for the Moon Jon Excell The Engineer

‘Shoot for the Moon’ Jon Excell, ‘The Engineer’ Rob Gowen on behalf of the UK Penetrator Consortium AMSAT-UK : University AMSAT-UK: University of of Surrey, July 25 25 2008 MSSL/UCL UK UK

What are kinetic penetrators ? Detachable Propulsion Stage § Instrumented projectiles § Survive high impact speed § Penetrate surface ~ few metres § An alternative to soft landers Point of Separation Payload Instruments § Low mass/lower cost => multi-site deployment AMSAT-UK : University of Surrey, July 25 2008 Penetrator PDS (Penetrator Delivery System) 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 25 2008 MSSL/UCL UK

Impact Velocity ? AMSAT-UK : University of Surrey, July 25 2008 MSSL/UCL UK

Impact Velocity ? AMSAT-UK : University of Surrey, July 25 2008 MSSL/UCL UK

Impact Velocity ? AMSAT-UK : University of Surrey, July 25 2008 MSSL/UCL UK

Impact Velocity ? AMSAT-UK : University of Surrey, July 25 2008 MSSL/UCL UK

History ‘No survivable high velocity impacting probe has been successfully landed on any extraterrestrial body’ DS 2 (Mars) NASA 1999 ? Mars 96 (Russia) failed to leave Earth orbit Japanese Lunar-A cancelled (now planned to fly on Russian Lunar Glob) Many paper studies and ground trials AMSAT-UK : University of Surrey, July 25 2008 MSSL/UCL UK

Feasibility ? – Lunar-A and DS 2 space qualified. – Military have been successfully firing instrumented projectiles for many years – Most scientific instruments have space heritage AMSAT-UK : University of Surrey, July 25 2008 When asked to describe the condition of a probe that had impacted 2 m of concrete at 300 m/s a UK expert described the device as ‘a bit scratched’! MSSL/UCL UK

MSSL Involvement § § § § ~2002 – became interested in micro-probes 2004 – exploring Aurora route 2005 – ESA Cosmic Visions (2015 -2025) Late 2006 – PPARC lunar mission studies MSSL proposed penetrators ‘Inspirational. . . ’ NASA Moon. LITE selected for first mission Simultaneous promotion for Cosmic Vision Like riding on the back of a tiger. . . AMSAT-UK : University of Surrey, July 25 2008 Area manager. . . MSSL/UCL UK

Micro-Penetrators payload instruments Payload (2 kg) Science Capability Micro seismometers sub-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, p. H, Redox) soil mechanical properties, thermal & electrical properties (astrobiology /geophysics) Mineralogy/astrobiology camera Soil properties/astrobiology Descent camera Impact site context & PR AMSAT-UK : University of Surrey, July 25 2008 MSSL/UCL UK

Prime Planetary Targets Enceladus Titan Europa Moon AMSAT-UK : University of Surrey, July 25 2008 MSSL/UCL UK

Europa • Subsurface Ocean ? • Life ? AMSAT-UK : University of Surrey, July 25 2008 MSSL/UCL UK

Europa Japanese Lunar-A Continuous launch delays Several paper studies AMSAT-UK : University of Surrey, July 25 2008 MSSL/UCL UK

Europa 10 Km AMSAT-UK : University of Surrey, July 25 2008 MSSL/UCL UK

Enceladus § 500 Km 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 ? ) AMSAT-UK : University of Surrey, July 25 2008 MSSL/UCL (image from Wikipedia) UK

Titan as seen from the Cassini– AMSAT-UK : University Huygens spacecraft. Wikipedia of Surrey, July 25 2008 MSSL/UCL UK

Fluvial plain Titan § § § § § heavy atmosphere mountains, dunes lakes weather winds clouds precipitation seasons complex organic chemistry § very cold § pre-biotic chemisty ? § life ? Dunes Titan as seen from the Cassini– AMSAT-UK : University Huygens spacecraft. Wikipedia of Surrey, July 25 2008 MSSL/UCL UK

Moon. LITE Science & Exploration Objectives “The Origin and Evolution of Planetary Bodies” “Water and its profound implications for life and exploration” “Ground truth & support for future human lunar missions” AMSAT-UK : University of Surrey, July 25 2008 MSSL/UCL UK

Moon. LITE Mission Polar comms orbiter 3 § Delivery and Comms Spacecraft (Orbiter). Far side § Payload: 4 4 penetrator descent probes 2 § Landing sites: Globally spaced - far side - polar region(s) - one near an Apollo landing site for calibration § Duration: >1 year for seismic network. 1 AMSAT-UK : University of Surrey, July 25 2008 MSSL/UCL UK

Science & ISRU Objectives 3 – Characterize water, volatiles, and astrobiologically related material at lunar poles. => Water is key to manned missions lunar base ? Far side – Constrain origin, differentiation, 3 d internal structure & far side crustal thickness of moon via a seismic network. 4 2 – 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 25 2008 1 MSSL/UCL UK

Science – Lunar Seismology 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 AMSAT-UK : University of Surrey, July 25 2008 Micro-seismometer, IC 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 25 2008 MSSL/UCL UK

Science - Geochemistry § X-ray spectroscopy at multiple, diverse sites will address: – Lunar Geophysical diversity – Ground truth for remote sensing Leicester University XRS on Beagle-2 K, Ca, Ti, Fe, Rb, Sr, Zr AMSAT-UK : University of Surrey, July 25 2008 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 25 2008 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 25 2008 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 25 2008 MSSL/UCL UK

Impact Trial: 19 -21 May 2008 § Full-scale trial § 3 Penetrators, Aluminium § 300 m/s impact velocity § Normal Incidence § Dry sand target 13 Kg 0. 56 m … just 9 months from start to end. Starting from scratch in Sep’ 07 AMSAT-UK : University of Surrey, July 25 2008 MSSL/UCL UK

Impact trial - Contributors AMSAT-UK : University of Surrey, July 25 2008 MSSL/UCL UK

Impact trial – Payload Radiation sensor Batteries Magnetometers Mass spectrometer Accelerometers Power Interconnection Processing Micro-seismometers Accelerometers, Thermometer Batteries, Data logger AMSAT-UK : University of Surrey, July 25 2008 Drill assembly MSSL/UCL UK

Trial Hardware Inners Stack AMSAT-UK : University of Surrey, July 25 2008 MSSL/UCL UK

Impact Trial - Configuration § Rocket sled § Penetrator AMSAT-UK : University of Surrey, July 25 2008 MSSL/UCL UK

Target § § § Dry sand 2 m x 6 m Small front entrance aperture (polythene) AMSAT-UK : University of Surrey, July 25 2008 MSSL/UCL UK

Real-Time Impact Video AMSAT-UK : University of Surrey, July 25 2008 MSSL/UCL UK

Firing AMSAT-UK : University of Surrey, July 25 2008 MSSL/UCL UK

1’st Firing - Results Firing parameters: • Impact velocity: 310 m/s (c. f. 300 m/s nominal) • Nose-up ~8 degs (c. f. 0 degs nominal) => worst case • Penetrator found in top of target • Glanced off a steel girder which radically changed its orientation. • Penetration: ~3. 9 m • Much ablation to nose and belly • Rear flare quite distorted. • Penetrator in one piece ✓ AMSAT-UK : University of Surrey, July 25 2008 MSSL/UCL UK

Post Firing belly up ! AMSAT-UK : University of Surrey, July 25 2008 MSSL/UCL UK

First Firing – Opening up §s AMSAT-UK : University of Surrey, July 25 2008 MSSL/UCL UK

st 1 Firing – internal Results Micro seismometer bay Connecting to MSSL accelerometer and data processing bay AMSAT-UK : University of Surrey, July 25 2008 MSSL/UCL UK

1’srt Firing – Qineti. Q accelerometer data Initial impact hi-res: Tail slap peak Overview: 5 kgee smoothed, ~16 kgee peak high frequency components ~5 khz AMSAT-UK : University of Surrey, July 25 2008 MSSL/UCL UK

1’st Firing – MSSL accelerometer data Peak gee forces in rear of penetrator Firing Along axis Vertical Horizo ntal 1’st 10 kgee 15 kgee 4 kgee 3’rd 11 kgee 17 kgee 11 kgee Along axis cutter Main impact Girder 15 kgee Vertical axis Along axis: § Cutter: 3 kgee § Main: 10 kgee § Girder: 1 kgee AMSAT-UK : University of Surrey, July 25 2008 4 kgee Horizontal axis MSSL/UCL UK

Hi-res MSSL accelerometer data Lots of high frequency structure AMSAT-UK : University of Surrey, July 25 2008 MSSL/UCL UK

2 nd Firing “Jaws-3? ”. . struck steel girder and moved it 6 inches AMSAT-UK : University of Surrey, July 25 2008 MSSL/UCL UK

Firings Overview § All 3 firings remarkably consistent ~308 -310 m/s velocity, and ~8 degs nose up. § All 3 Penetrators survived & Payloads still operational. Steel nose for 3 rd firing AMSAT-UK : University of Surrey, July 25 2008 MSSL/UCL UK

Survival Table Triple worst case: exceed 300 m/s, >8 deg attack angle Item Firing 1 Firing 2 Firing 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 not present + other package elements ✓ x pressure sensor x 3ų heating element ✓ x pressure sensor ✓ 6ų heating element MSSL accel sys ✓ ✓ ✓ No critical failures – currently all minor to unprotected bays or preliminary mountings AMSAT-UK : University of Surrey, July 25 2008 MSSL/UCL UK

Impact Trial Objectives üDemonstrate survivability of penetrator body, accelerometers and power system. üAssess impact on penetrator subsystems and instruments. üDetermine internal acceleration environment at different positions within penetrator. üExtend predictive modelling to new penetrator materials, and impact materials. üAssess alternative packing methods. üAssess interconnect philosophy. AMSAT-UK : University of Surrey, July 25 2008 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 : - Moon. LITE Phase-A ‾ Delta developments for icy planets AMSAT-UK : University of Surrey, July 25 2008 MSSL/UCL UK

- End - Penetrator website: http: //www. mssl. ucl. ac. uk/planetary/missions/Micro_Penetrators. php AMSAT-UK : University of Surrey, July 25 2008 email: rag@mssl. ucl. ac. uk MSSL/UCL UK

Penetrator Payload/Science A nominal 2 kg 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 25 2008 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 2 xmass. § 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 25 2008 MSSL/UCL UK

Preliminary Mass Estimates Item Enceladus Titan Orbit Deployment Titan Balloon Deployment Penetrator (inc. 2 kg payload) ~4. 5 Kg Delivery system(*) ~32 Kg ~3. 5 -23 Kg ~2. 5 Kg Spacecraft support ~2. 5 Kg ~1. 5 -2. 5 Kg ~1. 5 Kg ~39 Kg ~12 -30 kg ~8. 5 Kg Total mass (*) heavy penalty for Enceladus delivery: estimate ~8 x(penetrator mass) with deployment from Titan with ∆V~3. 7 Km/sec AMSAT-UK : University of Surrey, July 25 2008 MSSL/UCL UK