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NASA NTRS · 20160013547

Resource Prospector Landing Site and Traverse Plan Development

Elphic, R. C.·Colaprete, A.·Shirley, M.·McGovern, A.·Beyer, R.
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Abstract

Resource Prospector (RP) will be the first lunar surface robotic expedition to explore the character and feasibility of in situ resource utilization at the lunar poles. It is aimed at determining where, and how much, hydrogen-bearing and other volatiles are sequestered in polar cold traps. To meet its goals, the mission should land where the likelihood of finding polar volatiles is high. The operational environment is challenging: very low sun elevations, long shadows cast by even moderate relief, cryogenic subsurface temperatures, unknown regolith properties, and very dynamic sun and Earth communications geometries force a unique approach to landing, traverse design and mission operations.

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lunar polesResource Prospector (RP)hydrogen-bearing and other volatiles

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Elphic, R. C., Colaprete, A., Shirley, M., McGovern, A., Beyer, R.. 2016-11-15. Resource Prospector Landing Site and Traverse Plan Development. https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/20160013547

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