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At least 145 records · Page 8

Selected aspects of lunar mare geology from Apollo orbital photography

Crater size-frequency distributions were studied (100-500 m) and are shown to provide significant integrated information concerning mare surface ages, subsurface stratigraphy, and surficial geology. Equilibrium cratering is discussed gradually reducing the relative numbers of craters smaller than 300-400 m in diameter as surfaces age and regolith thickens. Results for surface ages are in good agreement with other published crater ages. The existing correlations of large ring structures among various circular mare basins are shown to be based on criteria that are inconsistent and nonstandardized. A means of comparing equivalent ring structures in the different maria is proposed which takes into account the important characteristics of young unflooded basins (Orientale) as well as the progressive development of tectonic and volcanic features within the older flooded maria. Specific geologic aspects of several of the lunar maria are discussed and especially Mare Smythii, because of its great age and significantly different surface morphology. Lunar photographs and maps are shown.

Young, R. A.↗

An investigation to improve selenodetic control on the lunar limb utilizing Apollo 15 trans-earth photography

A study is made using actual metric photography taken by Apollo 15 after the trans earth injection when the spacecraft left the lunar orbit. After measurements on 12 frames were reduced for 11 known control and unknown points on the eastern limb, a least squares adjustment program provided the simultaneous solution for the selected points. The results indicate an improvement in selenodetic control may be achieved over a limited portion of the lunar limb; however, the solution could be further improved by strengthening the geometry of intersecting rays through additional observations of the same area using film from the succeeding Apollo missions.

Riotte, W.↗

Flight performance of Atlas-Agena launch vehicles in support of the Lunar Orbiter missions 3, 4, and 5

Atlas-Agena launch vehicles successfully boosted a series of five Lunar Orbiters into proper lunar transfer trajectories. This report discusses the flight performance of the last three Atlas-Agenda launch vehicles (for Lunar Orbiters 111, IV, and V) from lift-off through the Agenda retromaneuver. The objective of these flights was to perform seleno- graphic investigations including photography of the lunar surface. Lunar Orbiter V, launched in August 1967, concluded the Lunar Orbiter missions

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Short guide to lunar sample information

Data pertaining to the collection, processing, and study of lunar samples, and the ways to gain access to that data are described. Data pertaining to the samples includes not only the normally published literature but also NASA and USGS interagency documents, sample processing information, and photography taken from lunar orbit, on the lunar surface, and of samples in the Lunar Receiving Laboratory.

Simonds, C. H.↗

Apollo 8 photogrammetry

Lunar surface far side stereoscopic photography by Apollo 8 mission considered for lunar control

Norman, P. E.↗

Apollo 15 Mission Report

A detailed discussion is presented of the Apollo 15 mission, which conducted exploration of the moon over longer periods, greater ranges, and with more instruments of scientific data acquisition than previous missions. The topics include trajectory, lunar surface science, inflight science and photography, command and service module performance, lunar module performance, lunar surface operational equipment, pilot's report, biomedical evaluation, mission support performance, assessment of mission objectives, launch phase summary, anomaly summary, and vehicle and equipment descriptions. The capability of transporting larger payloads and extending time on the moon were demonstrated. The ground-controlled TV camera allowed greater real-time participation by earth-bound personnel. The crew operated more as scientists and relied more on ground support team for systems monitoring. The modified pressure garment and portable life support system provided better mobility and extended EVA time. The lunar roving vehicle and the lunar communications relay unit were also demonstrated.

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Photographic summary

The photographic objectives and the photographic equipment of the Apollo 16 flight are described. Translunar and lunar module/lunar surface photography are presented along with the command and service module orbital and transearth photography.

Dietrich, J. W.↗

An Interdisciplinary Method for the Visualization of Novel High-Resolution Precision Photography and Micro-XCT Data Sets of NASA's Apollo Lunar Samples and Antarctic Meteorite Samples to Create Combined Research-Grade 3D Virtual Samples for the Benefit of Astromaterials Collections Conservation, Curation, Scientific Research and Education

New technologies make possible the advancement of documentation and visualization practices that can enhance conservation and curation protocols for NASA's Astromaterials Collections. With increasing demands for accessibility to updated comprehensive data, and with new sample return missions on the horizon, it is of primary importance to develop new standards for contemporary documentation and visualization methodologies. Our interdisciplinary team has expertise in the fields of heritage conservation practices, professional photography, photogrammetry, imaging science, application engineering, data curation, geoscience, and astromaterials curation. Our objective is to create virtual 3D reconstructions of Apollo Lunar and Antarctic Meteorite samples that are a fusion of two state-of-the-art data sets: the interior view of the sample by collecting Micro-XCT data and the exterior view of the sample by collecting high-resolution precision photography data. These new data provide researchers an information-rich visualization of both compositional and textural information prior to any physical sub-sampling. Since January 2013 we have developed a process that resulted in the successful creation of the first image-based 3D reconstruction of an Apollo Lunar Sample correlated to a 3D reconstruction of the same sample's Micro- XCT data, illustrating that this technique is both operationally possible and functionally beneficial. In May of 2016 we began a 3-year research period during which we aim to produce Virtual Astromaterials Samples for 60 high-priority Apollo Lunar and Antarctic Meteorite samples and serve them on NASA's Astromaterials Acquisition and Curation website. Our research demonstrates that research-grade Virtual Astromaterials Samples are beneficial in preserving for posterity a precise 3D reconstruction of the sample prior to sub-sampling, which greatly improves documentation practices, provides unique and novel visualization of the sample's interior and exterior features, offers scientists a preliminary research tool for targeted sub-sample requests, and additionally is a visually engaging interactive tool for bringing astromaterials science to the public.

Blumenfeld, E. H.↗

Morphology and Mechanics of Terraces in Lunar Craters

The morphology and morphometry of terrace provide information on the mechanical conditions of failure and enlargement of impact craters. A simple, perfect plasticity model for terrace formation was proposed, but the preliminary terrace width measurements used to support the model were insufficient to provide a rigorous test. Lunar crater terraces were studied morphometrically. Roughly 1,000 terraces in 53 fresh lunar craters were measured using Apollo and Lunar Orbiter vertical stereo photography. Terrace widths and their order inward from the rim were measured along eight equally spaced radials in each crater. A list of the craters including rim diameters and geologic data is presented.

Croft, S. K.↗

The process of crater removal in the lunar maria, part P

Near-terminator photography from the Apollo 14 and 15 missions is used as a basis to evaluate the processes by which craters disappear from the lunar surface. From observations and analyses it is concluded that: (1) The erosion of lunar craters in the size range of 10 m to 1 km is effected principally by small impacts producing minute changes in crater form up to the point where the crater is worn to an interior slope of approximately 1 degree. Below that slope, the annihilation process is dominated by the formation of younger overlapping craters. (2) The distribution of shapes of craters in this size range can be explained as resulting from impact generated processes.

Soderblom, L. A.↗