Cryogenics for lunar exploration

Abstract

As part of the refocusing of NASA from Space Station research to exploration research, we are pursuing a number of proposed and funded projects for lunar exploration using cryogenic techniques. This paper gives a summary of these projects which include: (1) Using passive radiative cooling for separation and storage of volatiles from lunar regolith; (2) Studies of boiling and two-phase flow under lunar gravity; (3) SQUID-based MRI for monitoring astronaut health; (4) Studies of volatiles and water ice in permanently shadowed craters at the lunar poles; and (5) Seismic search for strange quark matter using the Moon as a large and seismically quiet detector.

Department

Physics

Publication Date

2-2006

Journal Title

Cryogenics

Publisher

Elsevier

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1016/j.cryogenics.2005.10.006

Document Type

Article

Rights

Copyright © 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

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