LUNAR-A

NSSDC ID: LUNAR-A

Description:
The scientific objectives of the Lunar-A mission to the Moon are to
image the surface of the Moon, to monitor moonquakes, measure
the near-surface thermal properties and heat flux, and to study the
lunar core and interior structure. To achieve these objectives,
Lunar-A will carry a mapping camera and two surface penetrators.
The surface penetrators are equipped with seismometers and
devices to measure heat flow. The seismometers will monitor 
moonquake activity over the course of a year and this information
will be used to learn about the structure of the Moon's interior and
the size of the core. The heat flow measurements will provide
information on the thermal state and evolution of the Moon. 

The launch was scheduled for 24 August 1999 but has been
rescheduled to 2003 because a penetrator failed a 300 m drop
test and must be redesigned. Damage was found after the drop
test to the epoxy based protective material and the seismometer
housed in the penetrator. Currently the mission plan is still the
same as the original plan. After launch, Lunar A will go into Earth
parking orbit. The spacecraft will then be injected into an orbit
around the Earth and Moon. After four and a half of these orbits,
Lunar-A will swing out into a wide single orbit with an apogee of
1,185,000 km. At the end of this orbit the spacecraft will re-
encounter the Moon and be inserted into lunar orbit. This orbit
will have an inclination of 30 degrees and bring Lunar-A within
40 km of the Moon's surface. The spacecraft will deploy two 13
kg penetrators over the course of a month. They will be
individually released and impact the Moon at 250 to 300 m/s,