Systems engineering approach and design trades for the Lunette geophysical network lander

Abstract

The concept of the Lunette geophysical network of landers was conceived from a mission concept study to develop small, low cost landers applicable to a variety of lunar exploration activities including site selection and certification for future human lunar outposts. The original design was intended to launch six landers on an EELV (Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle) as a secondary payload using the EELV Secondary Payload Adapter (ESPA) ring. A follow-on study of the same Lunette mission concept considered individual landers each having a dedicated solid rocket motor allowing for global-scale distribution for the establishment of geophysical network nodes for global network science. The payload for the geophysical network of landers was selected to be responsive to the science objectives outlined in the Scientific Context for Exploration of the Moon report [1] and the International Lunar Network (ILN) Final Report [2] would have the capability to take critical data continuously during the lunar night without requiring radioisotope power systems. This paper will discuss the systems engineering approach and design trades that allow for the current geophysical network lander concept to emerge from the original ESPA-based concept. 1 2