[Home]��� [Hazy Archives]��� [Hazy BBS]

Debaser
MoonCam, early draft
Mon Oct 18 13:08:51 1999


Hi all,

I ran the following letter past GOM earlier. I know we're kind of moving in a few different directions with ideas on how to accomplish this, and that's cool. GOM asked me to put a letter together so that's what I focused on, however its clear enough in my mind to take it and break it out into an outline/proposal sort of document for our internal purposes if the consensus is that a letter would be a tool to accomplish this goal rather than the focus. All criticism/suggestions are welcome, either here or to my email.

Jason
===================
Dear Sirs,

There has been a recent discussion amongst a community on the Internet of which I would appreciate your consideration and feedback.

Recently, the satellite IKONOS was set in orbit around the Earth. The images that are being returned are simply stunning. We feel that a similar satellite orbiting the moon will be of great scientific and educational benefit as well as provide entertainment and an amount of stimulation to the public's realization of the benefits of our space program.

We envision this satellite with the ability to orbit the moon and return detailed real-time images of the lunar surface. While comprehensive maps of the surface are available, we are not aware of cartography with the sort of detail that is now possible. These pictures may provide insights into the composition of the landscape, showing areas that may be more rocky than previously considered or areas of dust that were once believed to be stable ground. With the real-time imaging, we may also be able to gain a greater understanding of minute changes in the terrain due to erosion from phenomenon particular to a body with a lower gravitational effect and atmosphere, such as micrometeorites and solar particles. As we enter the 21st century, such detailed analysis would provide a step that would encourage all sectors of the economy as well as the public to look towards the skies for our future and our space program for leadership.

This sort of data will be a boon for all areas of interest. Scientists and geologists will be able to add another facet of data to compare with other findings, for instance, solar activity and its effects on minute areas of the surface along with seismic activity correlation from the monitors left by the Apollo missions. Economic innovators would have greater research on which to base prospective ventures. Educators would have a unique tool to illustrate lessons and captivate students. The general public would be as fascinated as the students - imagine the common person's mind expanding as it dawns on them that they're gazing at a body in the sky as they would glance at the grass beneath their feet in the backyard!

Even the deployment of such a satellite could break new ground and provide efficient launch for future missions. One thought was the possibility of a "shuttle launch", where the crew of the shuttle in the Earth?s atmosphere places the lunar orbiter in a high geo-orbital position. Remotely deployed from this position rather than a ground launch seems to possibly save significantly on fuel and open options for future probes.

We understand the myriad of difficulties and concepts involved in this proposition but do feel the benefits would far out-weigh them. Thank you for your time, consideration and any feedback or direction you can provide.

Sincerely,

Science1
Excellent
Mon Oct 18 15:56:19 1999


Excellent letter, reasons for putting up a MoonCam are well presented. I would suggest making a few different versions of the next to last paragraph tailored to not only a shuttle launch but to the commercial people (Hughs, Loral, Direct TV, Pan Am Sat, etc) and developing launch providers (Beal, Kistler, etc) and some of the big guns (LockMart, Boeing Space, Rockwell, Energia/Russia) Run this up as many flagpoles as possible and see how many salute! IMHO!

Debaser
Thanks Science
Tue Oct 19 01:00:33 1999


I see a good part of the letter having the ability to be targeted to specific groups; obviously a private venture is going to be somewhat differently geared than a governmental mission and you're right, we do need to identify these.

As I look down the line a bit, I wonder if it won't be wise to determine where our point is that we decide we let the professionals take over. Take for instance the idea of a shuttle-assisted probe launch. Is it possible? We're not professionals, but we do have a good sensibility among us and a wealth of data at our fingertips. A certain amount of this should be investigated just to make sure that parts of the concept are possible or what the life span of the mission would be. While many significant findings would be drawn from a satellite's interaction with micrometeorites, it may not be a strong factor for us in a cost/benefit analysis if we take into account that the cam might stay up for an hour and a half before encountering problems.

Jason�

GOM
Re: micrometeorites
Tue Oct 19 02:37:20 1999


Jason, I was assuming (always dangerous) that the MoonCam package would be fairly small. Hopefully that would prevent a small target for any micrometeorites. I have no idea what quantity of particles MoonCam might actually encounter. If a solar panel is hit, my totally uneducated guess is that a panel could survive a hit in most areas with possibly just a small reduction in output.

Debaser
GOM, I would tend to agree...
Tue Oct 19 18:23:54 1999


but as far as I know, an orbiter in a non-atmospheric condition is a new thing since the manned orbit of the lunar command module during the Apollo missions. That's something that could be learned from this, how frequent and how much damage micrometeorites tend to inflict on a piece of machinery, along with the solar particles of flares and CME's.

For that reason, I think approaching this with a bit of an attitude of disposability in the interest of science may be good, though we could always investigate the possibility of attempting to protect it rather than just floating it and seeing if it gets torn apart in the raw conditions of a lunar orbit.

Jason�

GOM
Good point! That's why we need two MoonCams . . . ^
Tue Oct 19 20:09:03 1999

Grendel
Good job, Jason... my only
Mon Oct 18 20:57:20 1999


suggestion would be increased emphasis on the PR aspect. Giving the public a 'fly on the wall' look at a real, ongoing space program - that is LIVE and has not been massaged by NASA - woud go a long way towards revitalizing interest and reducing apathy about space exploration in general. And this would ultimately translate into increased political support and therefore increased funding.

Or at least we could say it would. :)

P.S. - maybe we could get a celeb to be the front-runner. Corny but it works.�

Debaser
Thanks Grendel & all...
Mon Oct 18 21:17:52 1999


Grendel, I was trying to play that but not play it too hard. Two reasons for this: First, I'm not sure that the community we deal with is an accurate portrayal of how the public views NASA. I don't think that people feel the same as they did during the late 60's about the space program, but I'm not sure these feelings of suspicion permeate society in general. I also think there's a bit of a backlash in NASA against this, and the next draft will replace the "Internet community" for "a community of citizens" just to make sure that there is not a thought that this is a plan with the primary mission to entertain Hoagland-esque theory. Obviously this first draft is written towards NASA and different aspects can be emphasized depending on the targeted entity.

My next thought is to take and break it out into an outline sort of layout, as I eluded to in the original post. I think Gates had a good idea with a mission statement/executive summary/action plan and it would give us a good foundation for flexible and quick action regardless of which way this starts to go.

Please keep the suggestions coming...it wouldn't have gotten this far without all of you :)

Jason�

GOM
Good idea, Grendel . . . Spokesperson. How about . . .
Tue Oct 19 02:21:45 1999


an astronaut?! I think a lot of them are as frustrated by the lack of progress as we "earthbounds" are. That would, imo, give the MoonCam almost instant credibility.�

Wun
GOM..y'know..most of the
Tue Oct 19 02:54:48 1999


astronauts one hears speak.. seem to be either too old or too odd to grab public attention.. imo..

This is an idea which needs to be "OPRAH"ized to get to the man and woman in the street..

Its a pity that Art isn't regarded as a "journalist" because he..does..have the audience.. all of whom..well..a lot of whom would write emails to the Angel Gabriel..if asked..:))

Or maybe politician who people trust..him..if there is one..:))

oh well..�

GOM
Hi Wun, Yes, the thought had crossed my mind
Tue Oct 19 03:23:20 1999


about the astronauts. Oprah would be a tough pill for me to swallow, but if it works . . .

Politicians? Hmmmm . . . Accountability thinks that's the way to go. He could be right.

I was going to mention Art, but Popeye might try to throw me right up to the moon if I dared!!!

I still kind of lean towards the astronaut idea, but I'm probably just behind the times.

:)�

Wun
Gom..there must be..
Tue Oct 19 03:52:35 1999


say..a retired politician that everybody likes..
but who can still pull the right strings and isnt afraid to lose his seat..

It might be hard for an astronaut if they have signed secrecy clauses or whatever..but there is probably ..one..out there..who could be the poster child..or he could be an actor :(
Looks seem to be everything...these days..

I would so like to see this happen...sigh..�

GOM
Re: "I would so like to see this happen"
Tue Oct 19 04:06:42 1999


Me too, Wun. Me too!

Keep thinking up some names for us. "Buzz" Aldrin is still around. He seems to have remained very credible.

Serenity
Might be out of our league, but...
Tue Oct 19 13:54:40 1999


...the two most trusted individuals I can think of in this country are Walter Cronkite and Colin Powell.

BTW, I've been ill recently. Looks like you've all been very busy. I think this can really take off.�

GOM
Let's ask Popeye about . . .
Tue Oct 19 14:27:22 1999


Colin Powell. I had thought about him also.

And welcome back. Hope you are feeling much better. Yep, the old board has really been smokin' . . .

Da Grump

:)�

Serenity
Hi, Grump. My first choice would be...
Tue Oct 19 14:43:09 1999


...Walter Cronkite. I remember his enthusiasm and emotion during the various moon expeditions. Could he be enticed to lend his voice and support to a "return to the moon"? I've no idea how we would approach him on this.

Still very, very weak. Can't spend much time on computer. But much better than I was.�

Debaser
Re: Astronauts
Tue Oct 19 14:12:30 1999


Keep in mind that while astronauts are a very special breed, the vast majority of them are military people. Personally, I think this is a factor to consider in an analysis of how likely a person will be to carry the flag in the public's eye, if we go that route. Not that I think its a bad idea, but it may be wise to take into account the possibility that if the Powers that Be dismiss it with a shrug of "national security", a person with a military background may well fall in line with their (former) superiors. Something to consider, not meant to totally discredit the idea :)

Jason�

GOM
Hmmm, good point. Blasted logic!!! ^
Tue Oct 19 14:33:10 1999

Accountability
Well if it's good looks that you want...
Tue Oct 19 14:33:57 1999


I have often been told I bear a striking resemblance to Mel Gibs...nah, never mind! ;)