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The moon mission Lunar Mission BW1 will be the last and at the same time the most challenging mission of the Stuttgart's Small Satellites Program. The small satellite will have a launch mass of approx. 250 kg and is supposed to orbit the moon in a low and higly inclinated orbit. The cubical lunar probe will be delivered in a geotransfer orbit (GTO) as a piggyback payload. Using its electrical propulsion system it will spiralize itself to a Moon orbit, where it will stay for at least six months to contribute to the scientfic exploration of our earthly satellite. Innovative technologies and modern experiments shall be tested and used outside of Earth's orbit to show the potential of small satellites for future explorations of the Moon.
During its two year journey to the Moon Lunar Mission BW1 will generate energy by using cutting-edge solar cells for its on-board systems, as well as for its electrical engines. As a result of the diverse requirements during the several mission phases it is necessary to use two different types of electrical propulsion systems: The thermal arcjet thruster TALOS (Thermal Arcjet für Lunar Orbiting Satellite) and several magneto-plasma-dynamical thrusters, called SIMP-LEX (Stuttgart Instationary Magneto-Plasma-dynamical thrusters für Lunar EXploration). Both systems are developed, tested, and assembled at the Institute of Space Systems. The ammonia driven TALOS will be used for a fast orbit change after the launch to provide maximum thrust while being in the Van-Allen-belts, during lunar orbit insertion, and to controll the impact on the Moon at the end of the mission. SIMP-LEX provide the needed thrust for the long journey from the Earth to the Moon. This innovative low-thrust-propulsion-system uses PTFE (Polytetrafluorethylen, also known as TeflonTM) as solid propellant.
The primary objective during the flight to the Moon is the testing of new technologies, such as the electrical propulsion system and the operation of small satellites beyond low-earth orbits by a university. Nevertheless the on-board instruments shall already be tested and used for first experiment during the flight phase. After lunar orbit insertion and the arrival at the final orbit the actual science phase of at least 6 months duration will start.
Several experiments will investigate the surface and the environment of our Earth's neighbour: Remote sensing instrument will explore the composition and the characteristics of the surface, in-situ measurements will give an insight in the Moon's environment. Currently, the possible payloads for the Lunar Mission BW1 are investigated in detail with support of partners and other research facilities. The following experiments shall be part of the payloads:
- Multi-channel camera system in the visual and near infrared spectral range for high resolution images of the surface
- Thermal infrared camera for high resolution heat images
- Visual panoramic camera with wide angle optics
- Miniaturized dust and debris detector for the examination and measurement of small particles
- Meteroid impact sensor to detect impacts on the moon surface
- GPS navigation experiment
- Ka-Band radio experiment
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Lunar Mission BW 1
