Astronomy:LunIR

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LunIR
The LunIR CubeSat, which will characterize and collect lunar surface data.
NamesSkyFire
Mission typeTechnology demonstrator, reconnaissance
OperatorLockheed Martin Space
COSPAR ID2022-156K
SATCAT no.57686
Mission duration3 years, 2 months and 20 days (in progress)
Spacecraft properties
SpacecraftCubeSat
Spacecraft type6U CubeSat
BusTyvak Nano-Satellite Systems
ManufacturerLockheed Martin Space
Launch mass14 kg (31 lb)
Dimensions10 cm × 20 cm × 30 cm
Start of mission
Launch date16 November 2022, 06:47:44 UTC[1]
RocketSLS Block 1
Launch siteKSC, LC-39B
ContractorNASA
Flyby of Moon
 

LunIR (Lunar InfraRed Imaging, formerly known as SkyFire) is a nanosatellite spacecraft launched to the Moon collecting surface spectroscopy and thermography. It was launched as a secondary payload on the Artemis 1 mission on 16 November 2022.[1][2]

Mission

LunIR is a technology demonstration mission funded by NASA that uses a low-cost 6U CubeSat spacecraft. LunIR will perform a lunar flyby, collecting spectroscopy and thermography for surface characterization, remote sensing, and site selection.[3] The spacecraft includes two deployable solar panels and will have a total mass of about 14 kg (31 lb).

LunIR was selected in April 2015 by NASA's NextSTEP program (Next Space Technologies for Exploration Partnerships) and awarded a contract to Lockheed Martin Space worth US$1.4 million for further development.[4][5][6]

LunIR will communicate with Earth via ground stations operated by Kongsberg Satellite Services. LunIR will use 13-meter-diameter radio antennas located in Punta Arenas, Chile; Svalbard, Norway; and Troll station, Antarctica.[7][8]

Launch

LunIR was launched as one of ten CubeSats as a secondary payload on the maiden flight of the Space Launch System, Artemis 1.[2]

Propulsion

LunIR will demonstrate a low thrust electric propulsion technology called electrospray propulsion to lower the spacecraft's orbit for additional science and technology mission objectives.[9]

See also

The 10 CubeSats flying in the Artemis 1 mission
The three CubeSat missions removed from Artemis 1

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Roulette, Joey; Gorman, Steve (2022-11-16). "NASA's next-generation Artemis mission heads to moon on debut test flight" (in en). Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/science/nasas-artemis-moon-rocket-begins-fueling-debut-launch-2022-11-15/. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Clark, Stephen (12 October 2021). "Adapter structure with 10 CubeSats installed on top of Artemis moon rocket". Spaceflight Now. https://spaceflightnow.com/2021/10/12/adapter-structure-with-10-cubesats-installed-on-top-of-artemis-moon-rocket/. 
  3. ↑ Williams, Greg; Crusan, Jason (April 2015). "Pioneering Space – Evolvable Mars Campaign". NASA. http://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/files/20150408-NAC-Crusan-EMC-v7a_TAGGED.pdf.  Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  4. ↑ Morring, Frank (24 April 2015). "Habitats Could Be NASA's Next Commercial Spacecraft Buy". Aviation Week. http://aviationweek.com/Habitats. 
  5. ↑ Clark, Stephen (8 April 2015). "NASA adding to list of CubeSats flying on first SLS mission". Spaceflight Now. http://spaceflightnow.com/2015/04/08/nasa-adding-to-list-of-cubesats-flying-on-first-sls-mission/. 
  6. ↑ Krebs, Gunter (18 May 2020). "LunIR (SkyFire)". Gunter's Space Page. http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/skyfire.htm. 
  7. ↑ "KSAT to support NASA LunIR mission" (in en-US). 2022-02-10. https://spacenews.com/ksat-lunir-ground-network/. 
  8. ↑ "KSAT to provide Ground Network support for the LunIR mission" (in en). https://www.ksat.no/news/news-archive/2022/provide-ground-network-support-for-the-lunir-mission/. 
  9. ↑ "Next Space Technologies for Exploration Partnerships (NextSTEP) Projects". NASA. 5 May 2015. http://www.nasa.gov/feature/next-space-technologies-for-exploration-partnerships-nextstep-projects.  Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.



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