B. J. Bussey

Generating lunar bistatic SAR images using Arecibo and Mini-RF

We have employed the Arecibo Observatory Planetary Radar (AO) transmitter and the Mini-RF radar onboard NASAs Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) as a receiver to collect bistatic data of the lunar surface. In this paper, we demonstrate the ability to form bistatic polarimetric imagery with spatial resolution on the order of 50m, and to create polarimetric maps that could potentially reveal the presence of ice in lunar permanently shadowed craters. We discuss the details of the signal processing techniques that are required to allow these products to be formed.

Scanning altimetric lidar (SALLI): an efficient planetary altimetric mapping instrument

SALLI is a conceptual instrument design that will efficiently acquire altimetric data for a planetary body or asteroid from orbit while maintaining a minimum power demand. SALLI scans its measurements off-nadir using a novel circular scanning technique that simultaneously permits a large instrument aperture using a motion-bandwidth efficient scanning mechanism. By combining spacecraft ephemeris data with SALLI’s measurement set, a complete digital elevation map of a planet or similar body can be generated in less time and using less spacecraft power than similar scanning and multi-beam instruments designed for the same purpose. SALLI was originally designed to generate measurement data to produce a topographical map of the lunar surface from a polar-orbiting host spacecraft; however, its benefits extend to a variety of other mapping missions of planets or asteroids.

An imaging radiometer for measurement of lunar polar cold trap temperatures

The LRO Radiometer Investigation is an experiment proposed for NASA’s Lunar Reconnaisance Orbiter mission that will use a simple but extremely sensitive radiometer to measure the temperatures of the region of permanent shade at the lunar poles. Temperature governs the ability of these surfaces to act as cold traps, and tightly constrains the identity and lifetimes of potential volatile resources. The LRO Radiometer will also measure the night time temperature of the Moon, and use the extensive modeling experience of the team to use these data to produce maps of meter-scale rocks that constitute a significant hazard to landing and operations. The LRO Radiometer also supports LRO objectives by measuring the global abundance of meter scale rocks at 1 km resolution. This measurement is accomplished in four (4) months of observations.