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Space


Russia - Luna 26

Luna 26Luna-26 is a project to create a space complex with an orbital spacecraft for remote studies of the surface of the Moon from the orbit of its artificial satellite. The project is included in the Russian Federal Space Program for 2016–2025. (ROC "Luna-Resource-1" Orbiter).

The Luna-26 mission is the second mission of the new Russian lunar program after the Luna-25 mission . It is aimed at a comprehensive study of our satellite from orbit: relief, surface composition, internal structure, as well as the plasma environment. Compiled using stereo image processing and illumination analysis, the universal map of the entire Moon will have a resolution of 2–3 m. This will be used in future lunar missions, including for autonomous navigation.

The second important task of the mission is to relay data to/from the lander of the Luna 27 mission , which is scheduled to launch in 2028. Global measurements from orbit will also be used for comparison with local data obtained during the Luna 27 operation . Thus, the development of communications infrastructure near the Moon will begin.

Russian Lunar orbiter mission Luna-26 ( Luna-Resource-1 Orbiter) will have onboard 160 kg of science instrumentation to probe lunar surface and subsurface with radio waves, infrared, neutron and gamma ray emissions as well as exosphere, with UV remote sensing andfull-set in-situ plasma package. The core experiment is lunarstereo-camera, which will provide images with 3-6 m resolution.The orbit scenarioincludes one year with near-circular orbit 60-80 km and later, which requires periodic correction maneuvers and later more permanent orbit with initial height of 140 km.

Study of the lunar surface

  • conduct stereo survey and build a topographic map of the lunar surface:
  • study the structure and composition of the subsoil;
  • determine the chemical and elemental composition of the lunar regolith;
  • conduct a search for hydrogen-rich regions on the Moon;
  • investigate the content of volatile compounds (water / ice) in the soil;
  • determine the inhomogeneities of the lunar gravitational field - gravitational anomalies.

    Exploring the lunar exosphere

  • study the composition and dynamics of the exosphere, including volatile compounds in it;
  • explore the interactions of the solar wind with the lunar surface;
  • investigate lunar magnetic anomalies and related plasma dynamics;
  • study the micrometeor environment around the Moon.

    Moon Exploration Instruments

  • Lunar Gamma-Neutron Spectrometer LGNS for Remote Study of the Elemental Composition and Water Content in the Lunar Regolith
  • Lunar Infrared Spectrometer LUMIS for Mapping Hydrated Minerals on the Moon's Surface
  • Lunar stereographic camera LSTK for stereo imaging of the Moon's surface in order to build its high-resolution topographic models
  • Multi-purpose radar complex RLK-L for studying the internal structure of the Moon's soil

    Magnetoplasma Instruments

  • Lunar magnetometer LPMS-LG for measuring the constant magnetic field along the orbit
  • LEMRA-L electromagnetic emission monitor for studying the interaction of the interplanetary medium with the Moon. Developed by the Institute of Atmospheric Physics (Czech Republic)
  • Fast solar wind monitor BMSV-LG for observing the solar wind flow and its interaction with the lunar surface. Development of Charles University (Czech Republic) and IKI RAS
  • Energy particle spectrometer ASPEKT-L for measuring ion and electron fluxes. Development of the Institute of Experimental Physics of the Slovak Academy of Sciences (Slovak Republic)
  • Panoramic ion-energy mass analyzer LINA-R for studying the interaction of the solar wind with the lunar surface, regolith desorption, and the chemical composition of the exosphere
  • Neutral particle detector LINA-S . Development of the Institute of Space Physics (Sweden)

    Other

  • Ultra-stable radio wave receiver PKD for accurate measurements of the location and speed of the spacecraft and studies of the inhomogeneity of the gravitational field of the Moon
  • Cosmic dust detector METEOR-L for registration of physical and dynamic parameters of meteor particles (mass, velocity) in circumlunar space
  • System for collecting information and controlling scientific instruments SSRNI-2 - an interface electronic unit between the spacecraft and scientific instruments

    Technical characteristics

  • Spacecraft mass: ~2250 kg
  • KPA weight: ~160 kg
  • Radio link frequency range: X-band
  • Transfer rate: 18 Mbps
  • Data relay rate to/from lander: 400 MHz

    orbital mission scenario

  • transition to lunar orbit;
  • initial lunar orbit about 150 km high. It is used to prepare the spacecraft for regular operation near the Moon;
  • low lunar polar orbit with an altitude of 60 to 80 km. It is intended for stereo imaging of the Moon's surface. The operating time on it is at least one year and until the fuel supply for its correction is exhausted;
  • high circular polar orbit with an initial altitude of 150 km. It will allow the spacecraft to operate until the end of the project without corrections.
  • Estimated time of work on it is about 2 years.




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