Extreme Access & Lunar Ice Mining in Permanently Shadowed Craters Project

Mueller, Robert P.

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NASA NTRS · 20140010801

Extreme Access & Lunar Ice Mining in Permanently Shadowed Craters Project

Mueller, Robert P.

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Abstract

Results from the recent LCROSS mission in 2010, indicate that H2O ice and other useful volatiles such as CO, He, and N are present in the permanently shadowed craters at the poles of the moon. However, the extreme topography and steep slopes of the crater walls make access a significant challenge. In addition temperatures have been measured at 40K (-233 C) so quick access and exit is desirable before the mining robot cold soaks. The Global Exploration Roadmap lists extreme access as a necessary technology for Lunar Exploration.

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Mueller, Robert P.. 2014-05-02. Extreme Access & Lunar Ice Mining in Permanently Shadowed Craters Project. https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/20140010801

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