Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Text Size

Search FFD.org

Browse Library

FFD Newsletter Subscribe

Detection of Potential Site for Future Human Habitability on the Moon using Chandrayaan-1 Data
Author(s):

A. S. Arya, R. P. Rajasekhar, Guneshwar Thangjam, Ajai and A. S. Kiran Kumar.

Organisation: Space Applications Centre, Indian Space Research Organization,

Chandrayaan-1, the maiden Indian lunar spacecraft, carried 11 different scientific payloads on-board. The Terrain Mapping Camera (TMC) having 5 m spatial resolution and three-dimensional viewing capability had better sensor parameters than other similar cameras flown to the Moon before this mission. TMC captured the lunar surface features with unprecedented clarity. A buried, uncollapsed and near horizontal lava tube was detected in TMC stereo images of the Oceanus Procellarum area on the Moon. A Digital Elevation Model was generated to view the feature in three-dimensional perspective. A couple of rilles have been found to be connected sub-surfacially by an undamaged lava tube, indicating that the roof of this section of the tube has remained intact since its formation. The lava tube has been analysed thoroughly in terms of morphometry, topography, surface composition and surface ages of the surrounding regions. Such a lava tube could be a potential site for future human habitability on the Moon for future human missions and scientific explorations, providing a safe environment from hazardous radiations, micro-meteoritic impacts, extreme temperatures and dust storms.

Sector:
Topic: Resource, Climate
Method: Anticipating, Creating alternatives
Type: Article
Tags:
Date published: 2011
Language(s): English
Country:
Hits: 16
Moonhabitation.pdf
Filesize: 330 kB
Filetype: PDF document, version 1.4
Downloaded: 33

Please login to rate this resource

RSS Feeds