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At least 73 records · Page 4

A traverse gravimeter for the lunar surface

A semi-automatic, self-levelling lunar gravimeter was designed for the purpose of measuring gravity at predetermined stops along the route of a lunar rover vehicle to obtain a gravity profile. The traverse gravimeter is completely self-contained and is powered by an internal battery. The gravity sensor is a vibrating string accelerometer (VSA) which is enclosed in a precision oven. Gravity data are obtained by initiating a measurement. After the gravimeter has levelled, the VSA difference frequency is counted down and a gate is generated to enable a crystal-controlled clock to a BCD counter. The BCD counter stores the data which are a measurement of gravity. These data, displayed upon command by the astronaut, are transmitted by voice back to earth. It is expected that the accuracy of the gravimeter will be better than one milligal. Low power, light weight, reliability, and simplicity of operation are major considerations in the design of the gravimeter.

Mamon, G.↗

A traverse gravimeter for the lunar surface.

A semiautomatic, self-leveling lunar gravimeter has been designed for the purpose of measuring gravity at predetermined stops along the route of a Lunar Rover Vehicle to obtain a gravity profile. The Traverse Gravimeter is completely self-contained and is powered by an internal battery. The gravity sensor is a vibrating string accelerometer (VSA) which is enclosed in a precision oven. Gravity data are obtained by initiating a measurement. After the gravimeter has leveled, the VSA difference frequency is counted down and a gate is generated to enable a crystal-controlled clock to a BCD counter. The BCD counter stores the data which are a measurement of gravity. These data, displayed upon command by the astronaut, are transmitted by voice back to earth.

Mamon, G.↗

Improvement of a geodetic triangulation through control points established by means of satellite or precision traversing

Whether any significant increment to accuracy could be transferred from a super-control continental net (continental satellite net or super-transcontinental traverse) to the fundamental geodetic net (first-order triangulation) is discussed. This objective was accomplished by evaluating the positional accuracy improvement for a triangulation station, which is near the middle of the investigated geodetic triangulation net, by using various station constraints over its geodetic position. This investigation on a 1858 kilometer long triangulation chain shows that the super-control net can provide a useful constraint to the investigated geodetic triangulation net, and thus can improve it only when the accuracy of super-control net is at least 1 part in 500,000.

Saxena, N. K.↗

Traverse gravimeter experiment

A semiautomatic self-leveling lunar gravimeter has been designed for the Apollo 17 mission. This traverse gravimeter, which is completely self-contained and powered by an internal battery, was used to measure gravity at predetermined stops along the route of the Lunar Rover Vehicle. The gravity sensor is a vibrating string accelerometer (VSA) enclosed in a temperature-controlled oven and gimballed leveling assembly. This instrument is capable of resolving gravity differences as small as 0.035 milligal (1 mgal = 0.001 cm/s) on the moon and yet also is able to measure the earth's gravity field of 980,000 milligals. Twenty-two measurements were taken on the moon during the Apollo 17 mission, during which the VSA temperature never varied more than 0.005 C. The flight results indicate an instrument accuracy of better than 2 mgal.

Buck, S. W.↗

Flight experience with a pivoting traversing boundary-layer probe

A pivoting traversing boundary layer probe was evaluated in flight on an F-104 airplane. The evaluation was performed at free stream Mach numbers from 0.8 to 2.0. The unit is described, and operating problems and their solutions are discussed. Conventional boundary layer profiles containing variations in flow angle within the viscous layer are shown for free stream Mach numbers of 0.8, 1.6, and 2.0. Although the unit was not optimized for size and weight, it successfully measured simultaneously flow angularity, probe height, and pitot pressure through the boundary layer.

Montoya, L. C.↗

Unmanned surface traverses of Mars and Moon: Science objectives, payloads, operations

Science objectives and properties to be measured are outlined for long surface traverse missions on Mars and the Moon, with remotely-controlled roving vehicles. A series of candidate rover payloads is proposed for each planet, varying in weight, cost, purpose, and development needed. The smallest weighs 35 kg; the largest almost 300 kg. A high degree of internal control will be needed on the Mars rover, including the ability to carry out complex science sequences. Decision-making by humans in the Mars mission includes supervisory control of rover operations and selection of features and samples of geological and biological interest. For the lunar mission, less control on the rover and more on earth is appropriate. Science portions of the rover mission profile are outlined, with timelines and mileage breakdowns. Operational problem areas for Mars include control, communications, data storage, night operations, and the mission operations system. For the moon, science data storage on the rover would be unnecessary and control much simpler.

Jaffe, L. D.↗

Traverse gravimeter experiment

The primary goal of the traverse gravimeter experiment (TGE) was to make relative gravity measurements at a number of sites in the Apollo 17 landing area and to use these measurements to obtain information about the geological substructure. A secondary goal was to obtain the value of the gravity at the landing site relative to an accurately known value on earth. Both these goals were successfully achieved by the experiment. A gravity tie has been obtained between the Taurus-Littrow landing site and the earth with an estimated accuracy of approximately 5 mgal. Relative gravity measurements that can be used to infer the substructure of the area have been obtained at stations visited during each period of extravehicular activity (EVA).

Talwani, M.↗

Apollo 17 traverse gravimeter experiment /Preliminary results/

Preliminary results of the traverse gravimeter experiment successfully performed during the Apollo 17 mission are discussed. An earth-moon gravity tie was established. On the basis of several readings, a gravity value of 162,695 + or - 5 mgal was obtained at the lunar-module landing site in the Taurus-Littrow valley. Free-air and Bouguer corrections were applied to the gravity data. The resultant Bouguer anomaly, analyzed with a two-dimensional approximation, shows a relative gravity maximum of about 25 to 30 mgal over the Taurus-Littrow valley. This maximum is interpreted in terms of a 1-km-thick block of basalt flow with a positive density contrast of 0.8 g/cu cm relative to the highland material on either side.

Talwani, M.↗