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LunIR

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LunIR
The LunIR CubeSat, which will characterize and collect lunar surface data.
NamesSkyFire
Mission typeTechnology demonstrator,reconnaissance
OperatorLockheed Martin Space
COSPAR ID2022-156KEdit this at Wikidata
SATCATno.57686
Mission duration1 year and 8 months (in progress)
Spacecraft properties
SpacecraftCubeSat
Spacecraft type6U CubeSat
BusTyvak Nano-Satellite Systems
ManufacturerLockheed Martin Space
Launch mass14 kg (31 lb)
Dimensions10 cm × 20 cm × 30 cm
Start of mission
Launch date16 November 2022, 06:47:44 UTC[1]
RocketSLS Block 1
Launch siteKSC,LC-39B
ContractorNASA
Flyby ofMoon

LunIR(Lunar InfraRed Imaging,formerly known asSkyFire) is ananosatellitespacecraft launched to theMooncollecting surfacespectroscopyandthermography.It was launched as a secondary payload on theArtemis 1mission on 16 November 2022.[1][2]

Mission[edit]

LunIR is a technology demonstration mission funded by NASA that uses a low-cost 6UCubeSatspacecraft. LunIR will perform a lunar flyby, collecting spectroscopy and thermography for surface characterization,remote sensing,and site selection.[3]The spacecraft includes two deployablesolar panelsand will have a total mass of about 14 kg (31 lb).

LunIR was selected in April 2015 by NASA's NextSTEP program (Next Space Technologies for Exploration Partnerships) and awarded a contract toLockheed Martin Spaceworth US$1.4 million for further development.[4][5][6]

LunIR will communicate with Earth via ground stations operated byKongsberg Satellite Services.LunIR will use 13-meter-diameter radio antennas located inPunta Arenas, Chile;Svalbard, Norway;andTroll station, Antarctica.[7][8]

Launch[edit]

LunIR was launched as one of tenCubeSatsas a secondary payload on the maiden flight of theSpace Launch System,Artemis 1.[2]

Propulsion[edit]

LunIR will demonstrate a low thrust electric propulsion technology calledelectrospray propulsionto lower the spacecraft's orbit for additional science and technology mission objectives.[9]

See also[edit]

The 10CubeSatsflying in theArtemis 1mission
The three CubeSat missions removed from Artemis 1

References[edit]

  1. ^abRoulette, Joey; Gorman, Steve (16 November 2022)."NASA's next-generation Artemis mission heads to moon on debut test flight".Reuters.Retrieved16 November2022.
  2. ^abClark, Stephen (12 October 2021)."Adapter structure with 10 CubeSats installed on top of Artemis moon rocket".Spaceflight Now.Retrieved22 October2021.
  3. ^Williams, Greg; Crusan, Jason (April 2015)."Pioneering Space – Evolvable Mars Campaign"(PDF).NASA.Retrieved9 March2021.Public DomainThis article incorporates text from this source, which is in thepublic domain.
  4. ^Morring, Frank (24 April 2015)."Habitats Could Be NASA's Next Commercial Spacecraft Buy".Aviation Week.Retrieved26 May2015.
  5. ^Clark, Stephen (8 April 2015)."NASA adding to list of CubeSats flying on first SLS mission".Spaceflight Now.Retrieved9 March2021.
  6. ^Krebs, Gunter (18 May 2020)."LunIR (SkyFire)".Gunter's Space Page.Retrieved9 March2021.
  7. ^"KSAT to support NASA LunIR mission".SpaceNews.10 February 2022.Retrieved14 February2022.
  8. ^"KSAT to provide Ground Network support for the LunIR mission".ksat.no.Archived fromthe originalon 14 February 2022.Retrieved14 February2022.
  9. ^"Next Space Technologies for Exploration Partnerships (NextSTEP) Projects".NASA. 5 May 2015. Archived fromthe originalon 18 August 2015.Retrieved9 March2021.Public DomainThis article incorporates text from this source, which is in thepublic domain.
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