NASA'S INTERNATIONAL LUNAR NETWORK (ILN) ANCHOR NODES MISSION

摘要

In February 2008, Dr. Alan Stern introduced a new lunar science research program within the proposed fiscal year 2009 budget of NASA's Science Mission Directorate (SMD). Building on NASA's current robotic lunar portfolio, this initiative will establish a Lunar Science Program (LSP) line for the next 5 years and beyond. The program will include the establishment of the anchor nodes of the International Lunar Network (ILN), a network of lunar science stations envisioned to be emplaced by multiple nations. This program will make significant progress in satisfying the National Research Council's lunar science objectives, and the U.S. Vision for Space Exploration Policy's objective for a robust robotic lunar program. This paper will focus on the ILN Anchor Nodes mission, which is being implemented jointly by NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center and The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory. A Pre-Phase A study is underway, which this paper will summarize. At a systems level, the ILN concept, science objectives, and mission-design alternatives will be discussed. The study is scheduled for completion in fall 2008.