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Coordinated Projects
Lunarpedia.org
- an open source online
encyclopedia of all things lunar, a
Moon Society initiative
note, this is a young project begun
January, 2007. Please feel free to
contribute articles.
Data Mining Projects
Examining
data from past missions for new
knowledge, sometimes with the aid
of improved software that has the
effect of improving the
resolution
Examples:
using altimetry data to identify
contiguous areas of easy, and
progressively more difficult traverse
with the goal of identifying logical
transportation corridors on the lunar
globe; overlaying data from different
instruments to find clues not present
in the data of either alone.
Spin-Up Enterprises
Pre-developing
a technology needed on the Moon for the
sake of profitable terrestrial
applications
Examples:
glass-glass composites, sealed
bearings, silicone lubricants that
perform at thermal extremes
Masters & Doctoral
Theses
On research
issues previously or inadequately
addressed
Examples:
robot team mapping of subsurface
lavatubes; dust-repellent materials for
spacesuits, boots
Engineering Competitions
Field
testing new mechanisms and equipment
for performance
Examples: new
mobile suspension systems, new motors
and engines that run on fuels that can
be locally produced; finding the most
efficient and trouble free teleoperable
shielding emplacement
systems
Design Competitions
Designing
modular architecture languages, modular
biospherics systems. There are an
endless number of things needing design
Example:
turtleback spacesuits (the back
shell secures to a conferral airlock as
the wearer backs up, the shell opens
into the pressurized interior, and the
wearer reaches up inside and above the
airlock to grab a rail and pull
him/herself inside the habitat. The
lock closes and the empty suit is
removed automatically to an external
closet.)
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Lunar Analog Activities
At various
locations picked for topography,
geology, or simple logistical
convenience, we can provide ideal
inexpensive conditions for
field-testing equipment, devices,
procedures, etc.
They will be ideal
places for carrying on Engineering
Competitions
Analog activity is a
way to involve students at all levels,
as well as professional researchers and
technology entrepreneurs.
Analog sites will
thus play a major role in helping
advance needed technologies towards
maturity.
Many people are
familiar with the Mars Society's analog
stations on Devon Island and in Utah.
After becoming familiar with MDRS with
actual crew and crew command
experience, we have determined that
there are major differences between the
goals and ideal architectures of lunar
and Martian analog programs.
The University of
Luna Project will endeavor to
coordinate all such activities and keep
the parties involved in mutual
contact.
A Modular
Architecture Approach to a Lunar
Analog Station -- PowerPoint
-- PDF
Slide Sow
MoonbaseAnalogs.net
Goals
of Mars and Lunar Analog Rearch Station
Programs not the same
Breakthrough Workshops
Gathering
experts in a cutting edge area of
technology with the task of identifying
areas for further
development
Example:
pushing the envelop of human-robot
synergies
Curricula Development
Developing
open-source research-focused curricula
to be used by any university or
college, designed to challenge and
engage students and also produce fresh
results of value.
Example: The
LUNAX
(LUnar National Agricultural eXperiment
corporation) experiments of the early
1990s that enlisted science and
ag-science teachers to have students
test varying lighting regimes to give
clues as to how best to nurse various
crops through the two-week long lunar
nightspan with the least energy inputs
so that they not only survived, but
went on to eventual harvest.
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