Lessons Learned from the Scientific

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Lessons Learned from the Scientific Program of
Apollo Lunar Exploration Presentation to
SSB/NRC Committee on Lunar Science Priorities
and Goals James W. Head Department of Geological
Sciences Brown University Providence, RI 02912
USA August 2, 2006
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Primary Committee Tasks I. Identify a common
set of prioritized scientific goals addressed
through - A program of orbital and landed
robotic lunar missions 2008-2018. -
Initial stages of human lunar exploration
2018-2023. 2. Suggest whether individual goals
are most amenable to orbital measurements, in
situ analysis or instrumentation, field
observations, or returned sample analysis.
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My Background - Worked in the systems analysis
division (Bellcomm) of NASA Headquarters
(1968-1973). - Participated in - Candidate
landing site identification, mapping and analysis
(GLEP). - Landing site selection (ASSB). -
Apollo landing site traverse planning (USGS, JSC,
SWG). - Apollo lunar surface operations planning
(LSOP). - Astronaut training (general and
site-specific). - Apollo mission simulations
(usually as CDR or LMP). - Apollo Mission
Operations. - Post-mission crew debriefing and
analysis. - Post-mission Preliminary
Examination of samples and other data. -
Briefing of the Apollo Program Director and
staff.
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Robotic Lander/Orbiter Precursor Program
- Ranger 1-9 (1961 - 1965). -
Surveyor 1-7 (1966 - 1968). - Lunar
Orbiter 1-5 (1966 - 1967).
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Soviet Lunar Missions - Luna
Landers. - Lunokhod. - Luna Sample
Return. - Luna Orbiters - Zond
Human-rated Missions
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Apollo Launch Dates - Astronaut Missions -
Apollo 7 October 11, 1968 Apollo 8
December 21, 1968 Apollo 9 March 3,
1969 Apollo 10 May 18, 1969 Apollo 11
July 16, 1969 Apollo 12 November 14,
1969 Apollo 13 April 11, 1970 Apollo 14
January 31, 1971 Apollo 15 July 26,
1971 Apollo 16 April 16, 1972 Apollo 17
December 7, 1972
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Astronaut Training - General geological
background (group field trips). - Classes at
JSC (rocks, processes, etc.). - Landing
site-related field trips (prime and backup
crews) - Mission-related field sites and traverse
simulations. - Orbital observations and science
operations. - Crew briefings on EVA traverses
and timelines. - Mission simulations. - Final
briefings at Crew Quarters at KSC in the days
before launch. - Debriefings following
splashdown.
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Scientific Goals and Objectives -Broadly, to
understand the nature, internal structure and
history of the Moon and its environment.
-Four-pronged approach 1) Surface science
station Deployed surface experiments package
(ALSEP). 2) Surface exploration Lunar surface
observations, photography, exploration traverses,
and sampling (Field Geology Experiment)
geophysical instruments (gravimeter,
magnetometer, active seismic, SEP, etc.). 3)
Orbital exploration astronaut observations and
pholography, SIM Bay experiments. 4) Moon as a
platform Lyman alpha telescope, gravity waves,
etc.
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Scientific Goals and Objectives
Implementation -Implementation of broad goals
and objectives focused on site selection and
traverse planning. -Fundamental questions
evolved and changed very rapidly as data from
each mission was returned and analyzed. -Example
1 Origin of the maria, their age, their
diversity, their relationships to basins, their
mode of emplacement (Apollo 11-17). -Example 2
Lunar chronology and history What was the
absolute age basis for the relative stratigraphic
history? -Example 3 The nature and role of
impact basins.
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Apollo 11
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Apollo 12
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Apollo 14
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Apollo 15
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Apollo 16
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Apollo 17
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Scientific Goals and Objectives
Implementation -Implementation of broad goals
and objectives focused on site selection and
traverse planning. -Fundamental questions
evolved and changed very rapidly as data from
each mission was returned and analyzed. -Example
1 Origin of the maria, their age, their
diversity, their relationships to basins, their
mode of emplacement (Apollo 11-17). -Example 2
Lunar chronology and history What was the
absolute age basis for the relative stratigraphic
history? -Example 3 The nature and role of
impact basins.
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The Evolution of Scientific Return from
Apollo -Initial missions dominated by landing
and crew safety concerns and short stay
times. -Development of pinpoint landing
capability (Apollo 12) a major positive
factor. -Initial surface experiments package
(ALSEP) was excellent and it evolved.
-Scientific surface equipment became more varied
and sophisticated with each mission.
-Increasing mobility and increasing distance was
always a concern (MET, LFU, LRV, DMLRV).
-Increased mission confidence permitted orbital
plane changes and opened up the rest of the Moon.
-Involving the astronauts and FCOD personnel
early in all phases helped immensely. -Early
rivalry and contempt gave way to scientific and
engineering synergism and optimization of
scientific return. -J-Missions (Apollo 15-17)
were well-executed scientific exploration
endeavors. -Apollo 18-21 would have explored
human/automated concept more fully (DMRV).
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What is the Relationship of Human and Automated
Exploration?
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Perspectives from Earth Scientific
Exploration - Active volcanic eruptions
Mount St. Helens, Hawaii. - Seafloor
exploration Human and Automated. - Antarctic
exploration Remote field camp in harsh
Mars-like hyperarid polar desert environment.
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Summary of Broad Apollo Scientific Results -
Completely changed our perspectives on the origin
and evolution of the Moon. - Turned astronomical
objects into geological and geophysical
objects. - Provided an absolute chronology for
lunar (and planetary) history. - Yielded our
first understanding of non-Earth planetary
interiors. - Revealed the fundamental themes of
how one-plate planets work. - Illuminated the
role of impact cratering as a geological process
throughout planetary history (from magma oceans
to biotic crises). - Provided a model for the
formation of primary planetary crusts. - Showed
that the Moon was most likely derived from the
Earth. - The Moon has provided insight into the
missing chapters of Earth history. - The Moon
remains the cornerstone of knowledge about
planetary bodies other than the Earth. - Apollo
provided fundamental knowledge and a rich legacy
for future generations.
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Conclusions and Perspectives The General -
Flags and footprints are one-shot deals and are
not sustainable. - To my knowledge, terms like
applied science and suitcase science were not
used in the Apollo Program. - After Apollo 11
(flags and footprints), scientific exploration
was what generated the excitement, and provided
the basis for sustaining the program. - What is
the current justification for returning to the
Moon? -Why are we going? What will sustain the
effort? What will be the legacy? - Exploration
is accessing and understanding the unknown
Science is exploration. - Apollo recognized this
early on and worked toward science and
engineering synergism and optimization. - Can
the current effort do anything less and be
successful?
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Conclusions and Perspectives The Specific -
Need to start where Apollo left off Develop
science and engineering synergism. - The Moon
is a cornerstone for Solar System exploration
Develop a broad program for an in-depth
understanding of the Moon as a planetary body.
- Need well-integrated automated and human
exploration elements Orbital, lander, rover. -
Need to constantly iterate and fold results back
into mission planning (Copernicus) need
flexibility. - Human mission landing mission
style and frequency should be driven by science
requirements and evolving scientific findings. -
As with Apollo, all science and operational
capabilities should undergo constant evolution
and optimization. - Budget Bookkeeping. -
Total Costs The Chinese Fortune Cookie.