The Lunar Prospector is designed for a low polar orbit investigation of the Moon, including mapping of surface composition and possible polar ice deposits, measurements of magnetic and gravity fields, and study of lunar outgassing events. Data from the 1 to 3 year mission will allow construction of a detailed map of the surface composition of the Moon, and will improve our understanding of the origin, evolution, current state, and resources of the Moon. The spacecraft will be a graphite-epoxy drum, 1.4 meters in diameter and 1.22 meters high with three radial instrument booms. It will be spin-stabilized and controlled by 6 hydrazine monopropellant 22-Newton thrusters. Communications are through two S-band transponders and a slotted, phased-array medium gain antenna and omnidirectional low-gain antenna. There will be no on-board computer, ground command will be through a 3.6 kbps telemetry link. Total mission cost will be $51 million (in 1992 dollars). After launch, the Lunar Prospector will have a 110 hour cruise to the Moon, followed by insertion into a 100 km altitude circular lunar polar orbit with a period of 118 minutes. The nominal mission duration is one year. A two year extended mission following this is possible, during which the orbit will be lowered to 50 km and then 10 km altitude to obtain higher resolution measurements.
Magnetometer (MAG) - Mario Acuna, NASA Goddard; Lon Hood, Univ. of Arizona LPL
Electron Reflectometer (ER) - Robert Lin, UC Berkeley SSL
The MAG/ER experiments will return data on the lunar crustal magnetic
field and the lunar induced magnetic dipole. These data will help provide
an understanding of the origin of lunar paleomagnetism and the degree to
which impacts can produce paleomagnetism, and allow constraints on the
size and composition of the (possible) lunar core.
Alpha Particle Spectrometer (APS) - Alan Binder, Lockheed
The APS instrument will be used to find radon outgassing events on the lunar
surface by detecting alpha particles from the radon gas itself and its decay
product, polonium. Observations of the frequency and locations of the gas release
events will help characterize one possible source of the tenuous lunar
atmosphere. Determination of the relationship of outgassing sites with
crater age and tectonic features may be possible. This may in turn be
used to characterize the current level of lunar tectonic activity.
Doppler Gravity Experiment (DGE) - Alex Konopliv, NASA JPL
This investigation will use Doppler tracking of S-Band radio signals to
characterize the spacecraft orbit and determine the lunar gravity field.
This data will provide information on the lunar interior and, combined
with lunar topographic data, will allow modelling of the global crustal
asymmetry, crustal structure, and subsurface basin structure. It can also
used for planning future lunar missions.
The Lunar Prospector mission has been selected by NASA for full development and construction as part of NASA's Discovery program.
Discovery Mission announcement (Lunar Prospector,
Venus Multi-Probe, Suess-Urey, Stardust)
Lunar Data at NSSDC
Clementine - The most recent lunar mission
NASA's Discovery Program
Lunar Prospector Home Page - NASA Ames
Lockheed Martin Lunar Prospector Home Page