NASA announces the design of the backpack that astronauts will carry on the moon
This device is called a navigation and mapping bag. This bag is equipped with a portable scanner, which continuously scans the Earth while roaming, as NASA announces the design of the backpack that astronauts will carry on the moon
Thanks to a new backpack-shaped device developed by NASA and its partners, humans who will explore the lunar surface may be able to send back unprecedentedly detailed, accurate maps of the lunar surface.
well as collecting detailed information on the surrounding surface topology.
Planetary scientist Michael Zanetti of NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center said: "This scanner is primarily used for scientific navigation and mapping. It is able to create ultra-high-resolution 3-D maps at the centimeter scale of high scientific value."
“This bag will help ensure the safety of astronauts and rovers in the lunar environment, where GPS cannot be used. Actual distances to distant landmarks can also be determined, and real-time knowledge of how far explorers have progressed and how much is left to reach their destination.”
The system makes use of frequency-modulated continuous wave scanning technology. As the name implies, a continuous laser beam of modified frequency is sent, when this light is reflected off a surface its frequency changes, and when the modified frequency of the light returns to the scanner it is compared to the emitted light. The difference between the two is proportional to the distance to the surface, and this process generates a detailed topographic map.
This technology does not require the use of fast electronics, and is protected from interference from ambient light. This makes it simplified and efficient, which is required to deal with environments such as that of the Moon.
This scanner is capable of collecting millions of measurement points per second and can operate even in the dark. As such, it is a real-time navigation system to help astronauts trying to navigate in an alien environment.
“We tend to navigate by landmarks, like a specific building or an orchard,” Zanetti said. These things do not exist on the moon. The bag will continually enable surface explorers to determine their movement, directions, and direction to distant peaks or valleys. They can also pinpoint specific locations where they find unique minerals or rock formations, allowing others to easily return for further studies.”
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In partnership with Torch Technology to develop the backpack and Eva to supply the scanner's sensors, NASA has some work to do to develop the prototype. Field tests conducted in November 2021 showed that this technology is effective, as it was used to map volcanic craters and reconstruct a 3D model of the sea barrier dunes at NASA's Kennedy Space Center.
NASA scientists will continue to use this bag to assess the impact of storm erosion on the sand dunes that currently protect the space agency's primary rocket launch pads. This bag will also undergo major field testing at NASA's Virtual Solar System Exploration Research Institute in New Mexico.
This technology needs some protection from the moon as well, in order to avoid exposure to harsh solar radiation and counteract the reduced gravity on the moon. And work will be done to reduce the weight and size of the bag, as it currently weighs about 18 kilograms, equivalent to the size of a backpack.
“By leveraging the latest advances in EVA-developed scanner technology, with support from Torch Technology, our next generation space module will be the size of a soda can and could enable additional operations on the lunar surface like never before,” Zanetti said.
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Astronauts may have physical backpacks they can fill with moon rocks or use for something else, such as carrying equipment, while still doing mapping and navigation functions.
Source: Science Alert - Translation: ibelieveinsci
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