Showing posts with label LRO Images. Show all posts
Showing posts with label LRO Images. Show all posts

Monday, December 17, 2012

Astronauts' tracks, trash seen in new moon photos


My last post about the expected crash on the moon today, 12/17/12, of the twin orbiters Ebb an Flow from the GRAIL mission raised the comment from Vera about our previous missions to the moon leaving a lot of garbage and to be conscious of the mess we are doings....including astronauts´pee-bags!!

My thought was if humans go back to the moon some of the trash, including pee-bags, could be recycled.  In Japan cow poop on volcanic ash helps make soil. Others think they should be preserved as archiological items.

If we ever go back to the moon to get He3 we will need to have humans to maintain the machinery and I would expect a lot more trash would be generated.  Maybe this needs to be addressed to the Chinese or Russians since I don't see the USA going back in my lifetime.

It is something to consider and I thought I would see if anything has been posted about our Apollo trash.  Well have a look.
- LRK -

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NASA releases new high-resolution views of three Apollo moon landing sites, sent back by Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter. NBC's Brian Williams reports.
By Alan Boyle
NASA today released the sharpest views of three Apollo moon landing sites ever sent back by its Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter.
"We all like to obsess and look at the Apollo landing site images because it's fun," said Arizona State University's Mark Robinson, principal investigator for the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera, or LROC. "People actually used to be able to go to the moon. People used to explore the moon. Hopefully, sometime in the near future, that will continue again. But LROC is looking at the whole moon."
LRO's high-resolution camera has been looking at the whole moon, including all six of the Apollo landing sites, for the past two years. But these particular images are special because they were taken from the closest vantage point the orbiter will ever have during its $504 million mission. Because of adjustments in the car-sized probe's orbit, lately it's been flying as low as 14 miles (22 kilometers) above the lunar surface.
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By SETH BORENSTEIN - AP Science Writer | AP – Tue, Sep 6, 2011
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NASA LRO link
- LRK -

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NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) captured the sharpest images ever taken from space of the Apollo 12, 14 and 17 landing sites. Images show the twists and turns of the paths made when the astronauts explored the lunar surface.
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Maybe teach recycling to the young ones and they will be concerned as future astonauis.
- LRK -

Recycling  On The Moon
Grade Level: 5 - 6

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And when we go back, if we go back.
- LRK -
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Lunar Bases and Settlement
Excerpt from speech of John Marburger
Director, Office of Science and Technology Policy
Executive Office of the President
March 15, 2006
The Moon has unique significance for all space applications for a reason that to my amazement is hardly ever discussed in popular accounts of space policy. The Moon is the closest source of material that lies far up Earth's gravity well. Anything that can be made from Lunar material at costs comparable to Earth manufacture has an enormous overall cost advantage compared with objects lifted from Earth's surface. The greatest value of the Moon lies neither in science nor in exploration, but in its material. I am talking about the possibility of extracting elements and minerals that can be processed into fuel or massive components of space apparatus. The production of oxygen in particular, the major component (by mass) of chemical rocket fuel, is potentially an important Lunar industry.
What are the preconditions for such an industry? That, it seems to me, must be a primary consideration of the long range planning for the Lunar agenda. Science studies provide the foundation for a materials production roadmap. Clever ideas have been advanced for the phased construction of electrical power sources – perhaps using solar cells manufactured in situ from Lunar soil. A not unreasonable scenario is a phase of highly subsidized capital construction followed by market-driven industrial activity to provide Lunar products such as oxygen refueling services for commercially valuable Earth-orbiting apparatus.
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Will be interesting to see how the GRAIL mission ends.
Live NASA commentary Dec. 17 2 p.m. PT (5 p.m. ET, 2200 UT)
- LRK -

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For NASA TV streaming video, schedule and down link information, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov/ntv

The coverage will also be streamed live on Ustream at:
http://www.ustream.tv/nasajpl2
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More than one way to think of planet habitability.
- LRK -

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The Gaia hypothesis, also known as Gaia theory or Gaia principle, proposes that organisms interact with their inorganic surroundings on Earth to form a self-regulatingcomplex system that contributes to maintaining the conditions for life on the planet. Topics of interest include how the biosphereand the evolution of life forms affect the stability of global temperatureocean salinityoxygen in the atmosphere and other environmental variables that affect the habitability of Earth.
The hypothesis was formulated by the scientist James Lovelock [1] and co-developed by the microbiologist Lynn Margulis in the 1970s.[2] While early versions of the hypothesis were criticized for being teleological and contradicting principles of natural selection, later refinements have resulted in ideas highlighted by the Gaia Hypothesis being used in disciplines such as geophysiologyEarth system sciencebiogeochemistrysystems ecology, andclimate science.[3][4][5] In 2006, the Geological Society of London awarded Lovelock the Wollaston Medal largely for his work on the Gaia theory.[6]
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Thanks for looking with me.
- LRK -
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WHAT THE MIND CAN CONCEIVE, AND BELIEVE, IT WILL ACHIEVE - LRK -

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Monday, July 5, 2010

Ten Cool Things Seen in the First Year of LRO

We waited a long time for the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) to be launched to the Moon and now a year has gone by in orbit.  Back then we thought humans were going back to the Moon also.  Hopefully folks will use the LRO data to find interesting things about the Moon and be useful for planning other robotic missions that might take place on the surface of the Moon.

By the time it is alright to mention humans and the Moon in the same sentence we will have sufficient justification to profitable to develop the Lunar resources.
- LRK -

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http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/LRO/news/first-year.html
Ten Cool Things Seen in the First Year of LRO
06.23.10

Having officially reached lunar orbit on June 23rd, 2009, the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) has now marked one full year on its mission to scout the moon. Maps and datasets collected by LRO’s state-of-the-art instruments will form the foundation for all future lunar exploration plans, as well as be critical to scientists working to better understand the moon and its environment. In only the first year of the mission, LRO has gathered more digital information than any previous planetary mission in history. To celebrate one year in orbit, here are ten cool things already observed by LRO. Note that the stories here are just a small sample of what the LRO team has released and barely touch on the major scientific accomplishments of the mission. If you like these, visit the official LRO web site at www.nasa.gov/LRO to find out even more!

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And you saw it mentioned here.
- LRK -

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http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/LRO/overview/index.html
LRO Overview

On the moon we will develop technologies to survive in the infinite frontier of space, because the moon presents the same challenges we will encounter throughout the universe: harmful radiation, electrified dust, and extreme temperatures.

Just as a scout finds the safest way for expeditions on Earth, NASA will first send a robotic scout, called the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO), to gather crucial data on the lunar environment that will help astronauts prepare for long-duration lunar expeditions.

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Images
- LRK -

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http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/LRO/multimedia/index.html
Moon Images from LRO

LRO Photographs

Images of the Moon

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Thanks for looking up with me.
- LRK -
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WHAT THE MIND CAN CONCEIVE, AND BELIEVE, IT WILL ACHIEVE - LRK

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Saturday, April 3, 2010

Images of Surveyor 3, 5, and 6 and Luna 20 and 24 from LRO

Images of Surveyor 3, 5, and 6 and Luna 20 and 24 from LRO

Larry Klaes posted to fpspace this note:
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Sky & Telescope had a post on an impact crater made by the Saturn 5 boosterstage that got Apollo 13 sort of to the Moon imaged by LRO:
http://www.skyandtelescope.com/community/skyblog/newsblog/89359412.html

In the process the author also mentions that LRO has imaged some of theSurveyor and Luna landers too! Not sure how I missed these but they arelinked from the article.They will definitely make you appreciate how tough it will be to find Luna 9.Hopefully the crashed landers left a noticable crater to help in IDing.

Larry
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http://www.skyandtelescope.com/community/skyblog/newsblog/89359412.html

A Blast from the Past
With the cancellation of plans to return Americans to the Moon, atleast anytime soon, you might think that NASA's Lunar ReconnaissanceOrbiter is a spacecraft without a mission. After all, LRO's two keyobjectives were to scan the lunar landscape for places where futurecrews could safely land and to assess how much water might be stashedin the Moon's polar regions. But don't worry: the global observationsbeing returned by this highly capable orbiter will keep lunarspecialists busy for decades. Here's a guide to the spacecraft's seveninstruments.

Much ado has been made of LRO's views of landing sites from previousmissions. Most famous among these is the revered Apollo 11 site,Tranquility Base, snapped a couple of times last year. The stunninglydetailed views are made possible by LRO's high-resolution cameras,dubbed LROC. The twin sets of 8-inch (195-mm) f/3.6 optics, viewingfrom an orbit only 30 miles (50 km) up, resolve the lunar terrain atabout 2 feet (0.5 m) per pixel.
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You will want to check out the link and the hot links on the web pagefor more images from LRO.- LRK -Also the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter web site.

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Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter
http://lunar.gsfc.nasa.gov/
LRO ObservationsView the full gallery of images gathered from LRO's instruments andthe associated information products derived from them. Thusinformation, including boulder distribution maps, slope maps anddigital terrain models will guide engineers and scientists as theydevelop their plans for how they will continue to explore the moon.

Photo Gallery
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/LRO/multimedia/lroimages/LROMoonImages_archive_1.html

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I guess for now this is as close to the Moon we are going to get.We can only hope that if it is Mars Direct that happens that we willhave the necessary developments in place to use on the Moon as well.Eventually both places should show a human presence and not just rover tracks.It will probably happen after I quite talking to you but maybe therewill be an after life that will let me come back and bug you all. :-)- LRK -In the mean time feel free to let me know what interests you all.- LRK -I wish we could hold NASA to what is posted here.
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http://www.nasa.gov/exploration/home/index.html
At the core of NASA's future in space exploration is a return to themoon, where we will build a sustainable long term human presence.As the space shuttle approaches retirement, NASA is building the nextfleet of vehicles to service the International Space Station andreturn humans to the moon, and possibly to Mars and beyond. In supportof these efforts, ESMD is performing field tests, designing surfacesystems and conducting advanced human research to ensure that futuremissions are safe, sustainable and affordable

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Will this continue? --- ESMD is performing field tests, designingsurface systems and conducting advanced human research to ensure thatfuture missions are safe, sustainable and affordable ---Or will I have to go look at the Web Archive to see what was promised?
- LRK -

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Wayback Machine
http://www.archive.org/web/web.php
Browse through over 150 billion web pages archived from 1996 to a fewmonths ago. To start surfing the Wayback, type in the web address of asite or page where you would like to start, and press enter. Thenselect from the archived dates available. The resulting pages point toother archived pages at as close a date as possible. Keyword searchingis not currently supported.

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Thanks for looking up with me.
- LRK -

Web Site: http://lkellogg.vttoth.com/LarryRussellKellogg/
BlogSpot: http://kelloggserialreports.blogspot.com/
Newsletter: https://news.altair.com/mailman/listinfo/lunar-update
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WHAT THE MIND CAN CONCEIVE, AND BELIEVE, IT WILL ACHIEVE - LRK
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Friday, July 17, 2009

NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter has returned its first imagery of Apollo landing sites

We have sent humans to the Moon. Really, we have, trust me, I no lie.
Maybe that isn't good enough and you want me to show you.
Well we are back to the Moon with the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter and it is taking pictures.
I know, if you didn't believe me before, you probably won't believe me now either, but will be your loss.
- LRK -

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NASA Science News for July 17, 2009
NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter has returned its first imagery of Apollo landing sites. The pictures show lunar module descent stages, scientific instruments and even 40-year-old foot trails made by astronauts walking across the dusty lunar surface.

FULL STORY at
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2009/17jul_lroc.htm?list965414
Check out our RSS feed at http://science.nasa.gov/rss.xml!

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We have shown the below image before a number of times, still, it is worth looking at again.
It would be nice to have a camp out on the Moon and be able to look back at Mother Earth.
- LRK -

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http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2009/17jul_discoveringearth.htm?list965414
Exploring the Moon, Discovering Earth

July 17, 2009: Forty years ago, Apollo astronauts set out on a daring adventure to explore the Moon. They ended up discovering their own planet.
How do you discover Earth . by leaving it? It all started with a single photograph:

http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2009/images/discoveringearth/earthrise.jpg

Apollo 8 was the first crewed Saturn V launch and the first time humans were placed in lunar orbit. Mission plans called for the astronauts to photograph possible landing sites for future missions. Before this, only robotic probes had taken images of the Moon's far side.

As the astronauts in their spacecraft emerged from behind the Moon, they were surprised and enchanted by an amazing view of Earth rising over the lunar horizon. Bill Anders quickly snapped a picture of the spectacular Earthrise - it was not in the mission script.

His timing could not have been better. It was Christmas Eve, 1968, the close of one of the most turbulent, fractured years in U.S. and world history. The picture offered a much needed new perspective on "home."

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If we ever put up stations at the Earth - Moon Lagrangian Points, we will have new views of Earth as well.

http://esamultimedia.esa.int/docs/edu/HerschelPlanck/EN_13e_L_Points_EarthMoonSystem.pdf
http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Education/
http://www.permanent.com/t-theory.htm


And if at L3 or L4 you might even have neighbors nearby that you could borrow some material from.
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2009/09apr_theia.htm
STEREO Hunts for Remains of an Ancient Planet near Earth

Wouldn't that be interesting?
- LRK -

http://www.nasa.gov/home/index.html

Geoff passed this reminder.
You are cleared for landing -

Dr. Buzz Aldrin - The Big Event
http://www.space.com/common/media/video/player.php?videoRef=SP_090715_apollo11
Apollo 11 pulls off the truly amazing Moon landing. But the crew can't allow themselves to completely feel the moment or experience the weight of history just yet. Dr. Buzz Aldrin explains why.
Credit: IMAGINOVA / Association of Space Explorers

Thanks for looking up with me.

Larry Kellogg

Web Site: http://lkellogg.vttoth.com/LarryRussellKellogg/
BlogSpot: http://kelloggserialreports.blogspot.com/
Newsletter: https://news.altair.com/mailman/listinfo/lunar-update
Twitter: http://twitter.com/lrkellogg

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WHAT THE MIND CAN CONCEIVE, AND BELIEVE, IT WILL ACHIEVE - LRK

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Friday, July 3, 2009

NASA's LRO Spacecraft Sends First Lunar Images to Earth

Here it is July 2009 already. We are coming up on the 40th anniversary of Apollo 11 landing on the Moon,
http://www.historyplace.com/unitedstates/apollo11/index.html

and we finally have the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) orbiting the Moon and sending back its first images.
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/LRO/main/index.html

Several of you folks have been looking up and alerting me to these first images.
Thanks much.

Some have commented about their own blogs and I have added some to the Links I Like at the blog site.
http://kelloggserialreports.blogspot.com/

It feels good to know that others are looking up as well.
- LRK -

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NASA's LRO Spacecraft Sends First Lunar Images to Earth
http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2009/jul/HQ_09-152_LROC_images.html
GREENBELT, Md. -- NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, or LRO, has transmitted its first images since reaching lunar orbit June 23. The spacecraft has two cameras -- a low resolution Wide Angle Camera and a high resolution Narrow Angle Camera. Collectively known as the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera, or LROC, they were activated June 30. The cameras are working well and have returned images of a region a few kilometers east of Hell E crater in the lunar highlands south of Mare Nubium.

As the moon rotates beneath LRO, LROC gradually will build up photographic maps of the lunar surface. To view these first calibration images, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov/lro

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[Copied the post below as well. - LRK -]

Some of you sent me this link from SpaceRef.com

First Moon Images From NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter
http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewsr.html?pid=31681

And from the NASA link:

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LRO's First Moon Images
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/LRO/multimedia/lroimages/lroc_20090702_a.html
NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter has transmitted its first images since reaching the moon on June 23. The spacecraft's two cameras, collectively known as the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera, or LROC, were activated June 30. The cameras are working well and have returned images of a region in the lunar highlands south of Mare Nubium (Sea of Clouds).
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If you like looking at images and YouTube clips you might take a look at the blog:
Moon Base Omega
http://moonbaseomega.blogspot.com/

I wonder how long we will be able to use the data that is received from LRO?
Remember how the Pioneer Mission Master Data Record tapes were on degrading tapes, transcribed to magneto optical disks, which could only be read on SCSI drives for a DEC Micro Vax, then copied to a laptop and put on CDs, but who can read the CDs because no one has a program to read the old format (except maybe me and Viktor). Hardware changes, software changes. formats change, all really sad that the old passes out of our thoughts and can't be used with the new generation of computers.

Even when you store the data with information as to how it is formatted as was the Lunar Prospector spectrometer data, you would still find it hard to use the data without knowing how to expand the compressed binary numbers, and then you need information on how to convert the binary numbers to analog values you could read.
http://pds-geosciences.wustl.edu/missions/lunarp/

A link to an interesting interview on a POD Cast with Ray Kurzweil was sent to me by Geoff.
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January 23, 2008 - 12:26 P.M.
In this week's podcast episode, inventor and futurist Ray Kurzweil discusses why DAISI -- the Document Image and Storage Invention -- wouldn't solve the long-term data archiving problem.
http://a1448.g.akamai.net/7/1448/25138/v0001/compworld.download.akamai.com/25137/stw/stw-daisi-012308b.mp3
Podcast duration: 6 minutes
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That said, let us hope there will be enough people interested in the data we get from the Moon and Mars to keep the data alive in a usable condition that will let new grad students do good work on helping us make use of these new celestial resources.

You may know someone that can "Make It So". :-)
- LRK -

Thanks for looking up with me.

Larry Kellogg

Web Site: http://lkellogg.vttoth.com/LarryRussellKellogg/
BlogSpot: http://kelloggserialreports.blogspot.com/
Newsletter: https://news.altair.com/mailman/listinfo/lunar-update
Twitter: http://twitter.com/lrkellogg
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