Lunar Infrastructure For Exploration
Encyclopedia
The Lunar Infrastructure for Exploration (LIFE) is a project to build a space telescope
on the far side of the Moon
, and is actively promoted by EADS Astrium Space Transportation of Germany
and the Netherlands
Foundation for Research in Astronomy ASTRON
. The project was presented for the first time publicly at the 2005 IAF
Congress in Fukuoka
.
The 1.3 billion euro project would involve a radio telescope
to be located on the polar region of the far side of the Moon. It is proposed to start the program at the ESA
January 2008 ministerial council.
Launched between 2013 and 2015, the radio telescope could look for exoplanet
s and detect signals in the 1-10 MHz range. Such signals cannot be detected on Earth
because of ionosphere
interference.
The radio telescope would consist of a lander vehicle that would deploy dipoles
across a 300-400 m area. The dipoles, which receive the cosmic radio signals, would be deployed either by a dispenser or by a team of small mobile robot
s. The South Polar location would ensure permanent sunlight
and direct communication with Earth. The telescope lander would also carry geophone
s, which could listen to meteorite
impacts on the Moon's surface.
Another German aerospace consortium, OHB-System
, is also promoting a lunar lander concept called Mona Lisa, showing that there is a strong push in Europe
for a lunar lander in the medium term. Models of both concepts were displayed at ILA in 2006.
Space observatory
A space observatory is any instrument in outer space which is used for observation of distant planets, galaxies, and other outer space objects...
on the far side of the Moon
Moon
The Moon is Earth's only known natural satellite,There are a number of near-Earth asteroids including 3753 Cruithne that are co-orbital with Earth: their orbits bring them close to Earth for periods of time but then alter in the long term . These are quasi-satellites and not true moons. For more...
, and is actively promoted by EADS Astrium Space Transportation of Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
and the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
Foundation for Research in Astronomy ASTRON
ASTRON
ASTRON is the Netherlands Foundation for Research in Astronomy. ASTRON is an abbreviation of the Dutch Stichting ASTRonomisch Onderzoek in Nederland. This translates to NFRA in English, which is sometimes used to refer to ASTRON in English texts. Its main offices are in Dwingeloo at the site of the...
. The project was presented for the first time publicly at the 2005 IAF
International Astronautical Federation
International Astronautical Federation , the world's foremost space advocacy organisation, is based in Paris. It was founded in 1951 as a non-governmental organization. It has 206 members from 58 countries across the world. They are drawn from space agencies, industry, professional associations,...
Congress in Fukuoka
Fukuoka
Fukuoka most often refers to the capital city of Fukuoka Prefecture.It can also refer to:-Locations:* Fukuoka, Gifu, a town in Gifu Prefecture, Japan* Fukuoka, Toyama, a town in Toyama Prefecture, Japan...
.
The 1.3 billion euro project would involve a radio telescope
Radio telescope
A radio telescope is a form of directional radio antenna used in radio astronomy. The same types of antennas are also used in tracking and collecting data from satellites and space probes...
to be located on the polar region of the far side of the Moon. It is proposed to start the program at the ESA
European Space Agency
The European Space Agency , established in 1975, is an intergovernmental organisation dedicated to the exploration of space, currently with 18 member states...
January 2008 ministerial council.
Launched between 2013 and 2015, the radio telescope could look for exoplanet
Extrasolar planet
An extrasolar planet, or exoplanet, is a planet outside the Solar System. A total of such planets have been identified as of . It is now known that a substantial fraction of stars have planets, including perhaps half of all Sun-like stars...
s and detect signals in the 1-10 MHz range. Such signals cannot be detected on Earth
Earth
Earth is the third planet from the Sun, and the densest and fifth-largest of the eight planets in the Solar System. It is also the largest of the Solar System's four terrestrial planets...
because of ionosphere
Ionosphere
The ionosphere is a part of the upper atmosphere, comprising portions of the mesosphere, thermosphere and exosphere, distinguished because it is ionized by solar radiation. It plays an important part in atmospheric electricity and forms the inner edge of the magnetosphere...
interference.
The radio telescope would consist of a lander vehicle that would deploy dipoles
Dipole antenna
A dipole antenna is a radio antenna that can be made of a simple wire, with a center-fed driven element. It consists of two metal conductors of rod or wire, oriented parallel and collinear with each other , with a small space between them. The radio frequency voltage is applied to the antenna at...
across a 300-400 m area. The dipoles, which receive the cosmic radio signals, would be deployed either by a dispenser or by a team of small mobile robot
Robot
A robot is a mechanical or virtual intelligent agent that can perform tasks automatically or with guidance, typically by remote control. In practice a robot is usually an electro-mechanical machine that is guided by computer and electronic programming. Robots can be autonomous, semi-autonomous or...
s. The South Polar location would ensure permanent sunlight
Peak of Eternal Light
Peak of Eternal Light describes a point on a body within the Solar System which is eternally bathed in sunlight. This is due to both the bodies' rotation and the point's altitude...
and direct communication with Earth. The telescope lander would also carry geophone
Geophone
The term geophone derives from the Greek word "geo" meaning "earth" and "phone" meaning "sound".A geophone is a device which converts ground movement into voltage, which may be recorded at a recording station...
s, which could listen to meteorite
Meteorite
A meteorite is a natural object originating in outer space that survives impact with the Earth's surface. Meteorites can be big or small. Most meteorites derive from small astronomical objects called meteoroids, but they are also sometimes produced by impacts of asteroids...
impacts on the Moon's surface.
Another German aerospace consortium, OHB-System
OHB-System
OHB-System is a medium-sized spaceflight company located in Bremen, northern Germany, which belongs to the OHB-Technology AG. OHB-System is a systems provider in the areas of telematics, space technology, security and satellite services...
, is also promoting a lunar lander concept called Mona Lisa, showing that there is a strong push in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
for a lunar lander in the medium term. Models of both concepts were displayed at ILA in 2006.