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Exploiting Lunar Natural and Augmented Thermal Environments for Exploration and ResearchNear the poles of the Moon, there are permanently shadowed craters whose surface temperatures never exceed 100 K. Craters within craters, commonly referred to as double-shaded craters, have areas where even colder regions exist with, in many cases, temperatures that should never exceed 50 K. The presence of water ice possibly existing in permanently shaded areas of the moon has been hypothesized, discussed, and studied since Watson et al. [1] predicted the possibility of ice on the moon. Ingersoll et al. [2] estimated that the maximum sublimation rate for ice is less than 1 cm per billion years for these types of environments. These potential ice stores have many uses for lunar exploration, potentially providing precious water and rocket fuel for any human exploration or future colonization. The temperatures within these regions offer unprecedented high-vacuum cryogenic environments, which in their natural state could support cryogenic applications such as high-temperature superconductors and associated devices that could be derived. The potential application of naturally occurring cryogenic environments in conjunction with simple methods to augment these environments to achieve even colder temperatures opens the potential use of many additional cryogenic techniques. Besides ice stores and the potential for continuous solar illumination for power production, the unique cryogenic conditions at the lunar poles provide an environment that could reduce the power, weight, and total mass that would have to be carried from the Earth to the Moon for lunar exploration and research.
Document ID
20080013488
Acquisition Source
Stennis Space Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Ryan, Robert E. (Science Systems and Applications, Inc. Bay Saint Louis, MS, United States)
Underwood, Lauren W. (Science Systems and Applications, Inc. Bay Saint Louis, MS, United States)
McKellip, Rodney (NASA Stennis Space Center Stennis Space Center, MS, United States)
Brannon, David P. (NASA Stennis Space Center Stennis Space Center, MS, United States)
Russell, Kristen J. (Aerospace Corp. Chantilly, VA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 24, 2013
Publication Date
March 10, 2008
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Science And Exploration
Report/Patent Number
SSTI-2220-0160
Meeting Information
Meeting: 39th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference
Location: League City, TX
Country: United States
Start Date: March 10, 2008
End Date: March 14, 2008
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NNS04AB54T
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Public Use Permitted.

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