TY - JOUR

T1 - Geologic context and potential EVA targets at the lunar south pole

AU - Gawronska, A. J.

AU - Barrett, N.

AU - Boazman, S. J.

AU - Halim, S. H.

AU - McCanaan, K.

AU - Shah, J.

AU - Kring, D. A.

PY - 2020/9/15

Y1 - 2020/9/15

N2 - The lunar south pole is being targeted for exploration, in part, because it contains topographical high points with >50% illumination needed for solar power. Additionally, the south pole is being targeted because it contains permanently shadowed regions (PSRs), which may sequester resources in the form of volatile materials. Geologically, the pole lies on the rim of similar to 21 km diameter Shackleton crater, which is located on the topographic rim of the similar to 2,500 km diameter South Pole-Aitken (SPA) basin, the largest and oldest basin on the Moon. To prepare for future missions, we conducted a photogeologic analysis of the walls, rim, and ejecta of Shackleton crater. Two types of underlying (target) terrains were identified. The impact penetrated and exposed (1) purest anorthosite (PAN) representative of primitive crust and (2) a layered terrain that is likely a series of impact ejecta deposits that stratigraphically cover the crystalline crust. Crew performing extravehicular activities (EVAs) near the south pole may be able to sample PAN; impact melt from Shackleton, SPA, and other pre-Nectarian and Nectarian-age impacts; and polar regolith, including material from small PSRs that may contain volatile components. The topography in the south polar region is dramatic, often producing slopes in excess of 15 degrees, creating mobility challenges for astronauts during EVAs. (C) 2020 COSPAR. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

AB - The lunar south pole is being targeted for exploration, in part, because it contains topographical high points with >50% illumination needed for solar power. Additionally, the south pole is being targeted because it contains permanently shadowed regions (PSRs), which may sequester resources in the form of volatile materials. Geologically, the pole lies on the rim of similar to 21 km diameter Shackleton crater, which is located on the topographic rim of the similar to 2,500 km diameter South Pole-Aitken (SPA) basin, the largest and oldest basin on the Moon. To prepare for future missions, we conducted a photogeologic analysis of the walls, rim, and ejecta of Shackleton crater. Two types of underlying (target) terrains were identified. The impact penetrated and exposed (1) purest anorthosite (PAN) representative of primitive crust and (2) a layered terrain that is likely a series of impact ejecta deposits that stratigraphically cover the crystalline crust. Crew performing extravehicular activities (EVAs) near the south pole may be able to sample PAN; impact melt from Shackleton, SPA, and other pre-Nectarian and Nectarian-age impacts; and polar regolith, including material from small PSRs that may contain volatile components. The topography in the south polar region is dramatic, often producing slopes in excess of 15 degrees, creating mobility challenges for astronauts during EVAs. (C) 2020 COSPAR. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

KW - Extravehicular activity

KW - Sample collection

KW - Purest anorthosite

KW - Ejecta layering

KW - Slope constraints

KW - Shackleton crater

KW - AITKEN BASIN

KW - IMPACT MELT

KW - WATER ICE

KW - RESOURCE UTILIZATION

KW - PLANETARY SCIENCE

KW - NEUTRON DETECTOR

KW - IN-SITU

KW - SURFACE

KW - CRATERS

KW - MINERALOGY

U2 - 10.1016/j.asr.2020.05.035

DO - 10.1016/j.asr.2020.05.035

M3 - Journal article

VL - 66

SP - 1247

EP - 1264

JO - Advances in Space Research

JF - Advances in Space Research

SN - 0273-1177

IS - 6

ER -