LUNAR EXPEDITION PLAN

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Mlcrotopograpby 1B being studied by the Army Corps of
Engineers through radar experiments, (The Air Force work is
being done on the Millstone radar equipment) The nature of
the lunar dust is being studied primarily by the Air Force
under Projects j6$Q and 6602 by means of radiometric studies
from high altitude unmanned balloons and results are anticipated
early 1962. NASA anticipates obtaining at least partial
data on the nature of the dust from Surveyor {mid 1963) by
television observation ot the lunar surface and by the landing
characteristics of the vehicle.
k.2-8.10
The meteorite flux and level of solar and cosmic radiation
near the lunar surface are important for the survival of personnel
either on the lunar surface or in vehicles and shelters -
Present knowledge of these parameters is fairly precise
as a result of satellite and deep space probe experiments by
NASA and the Air Force- Only the radiation environment within
the first fev meters of the lunar surface is still speculative
as a result of uncertainties in our knowledge of the interaction
of solar and cosmic radiation with the lunar surface materials.
It seems likely that a cloud of ions will be produced by radiation
bombardment as veil as secondary X-rays. Dae density of the
electron cloud is unknown, and may be critical for lunar communications.
The Air Force is studying the lunar and cislunar radiation
environment under Projects 6687, 6688, 7601, 7&9, and 7663 hh
means of satellites, deep space probes, and vertical sounding
rockets. The NASA Surveyor vehicle (mid-1963) should give detailed
knowledge of the radiation environmeiit at the lunar surface.
k.2.8.n
The lunar magnetic field may be important to space and
lunar surface navigation, and In its effects on ionized lunar
materials.
The Russian lunik II indicated that the lunar magnetic
field must be very small.' The Russians were not clear on how
small, but It is generally thought that the moon does not possess
a magnetic field. Thus, all magnetic effects should be derived
from the very low intensity Interplanetary field and magnetic
fields, "frozen" Into solar plasmas.
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