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Overview of the LADEE Ultraviolet-visible Spectrometer: Design, Performance and Planned OperationsThe Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explorer (LADEE) is an orbital lunar science mission currently under development to address the goals of the 2003 National Research Council decadal survey, the Lunar Exploration Analysis Group Roadmap, and the "Scientific Context for Exploration of the Moon" (SCEM) report, and has been recommended for execution by the 2011 Planetary Missions Decadal Survey. The mission s focus is to study the pristine state of the lunar atmosphere and dust environment prior to possible lunar exploration activities by countries, including the United States, China, India, and Japan, among others. Activity on the lunar surface has the potential of altering the tenuous lunar atmosphere, but changing the type and concentration of gases in the atmosphere. Before these activities occur it is important to make measurements of the current lunar atmosphere in its unmodified state. LADEE will determine the composition of the lunar atmosphere and investigate the processes that control its distribution and variability, including sources, sinks, and surface interactions. It will monitor variations in known gases, such as sodium, potassium, argon and helium, and will search for other, as-yet-undetected gases of both lunar and extra-lunar origin. LADEE will also determine whether dust is present in the lunar exosphere, and reveal the processes that contribute to its sources and variability. Launch is planned for August, 2013.
Document ID
20130014341
Acquisition Source
Ames Research Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Colaprete, A. (NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Elphic, R. C. (NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Landis, D. (Draper (Charles Stark) Lab., Inc. Tampa, FL, United States)
Karcz, J. (NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Osetinsky, L. (NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Shirley, M. (NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Vargo, K. (NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Wooden, D. (NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 27, 2013
Publication Date
March 18, 2013
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Science And Exploration
Report/Patent Number
ARC-E-DAA-TN8081
Meeting Information
Meeting: Lunar and Planetary Science Conference (LPSC) 2013
Location: The Woodlands, TX
Country: United States
Start Date: March 18, 2013
End Date: March 22, 2013
Sponsors: Lunar and Planetary Inst.
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NNA08AF30B
WBS: WBS 859103.05.01.02.01
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Public Use Permitted.

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