South Africa - Inkaba.org

A Lunar Geotechnical GIS as an aid for exploration and
settlement construction
Leon Croucamp 1, Ludwig Combrinck 2, Marius de Wet 3
1. University of Stellenbosch, South Africa, lcroukamp@sun.ac.za
2. HartRAO, South Africa, ludwig@hartrao.ac.za
3. University of Stellenbosch, South Africa, mdw1@sun.ac.za
ABSTRACT
We present the case for a Lunar Geotechnical GIS and the Earth based methods and instruments required to
support a geo-referenced framework for such a GIS.
During discussions with various role-players (NASA/ESA/etc) it was determined that the Lunar community have
the need for a Lunar GIS system as well as a Space Geodesy system to create a single world-wide (lunar-wide)
geo-referenced framework for the moon. Initially the biggest user of such a system would be the Constellation
Programme (CxP) of NASA plus other space faring nations of the world who are currently undertaking satellite
missions to the moon and are planning future missions. The Moon will eventually become a springboard for future
missions to Mars and beyond, in addition it will play a significant role as laboratory for the determination and
creation of better technologies for space travel and space material manufacturing.
A new space geodesy site is being developed at Matjiesfontein and will be known as the Matjiesfontein
Observatory (MO). This observatory will house the various Satellite Laser Ranging and Lunar Laser Ranging
instruments to track the GPS/GNSS/GALILEO type systems placed in orbit around the earth. Tracking of orbiters
around the moon (such as Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter) and interplanetary probes will also be supported. The
most recent launch of a satellite to the moon was on Friday 1 October 2010 by China. The ability to track these
satellites accurately is vital to create a geo-referenced framework for the correct referencing of any data collected
on the moon, be it geotechnical, geochemical or other.
KEYWORDS: GIS, Geotechnical, Lunar, Space Geodesy
20