German Network for Lunar Science and Exploration
Research Interests and Capabilities
Germany is an Associate Member of SSERVI. The research focuses on activities in preparation for and in realization of robotic and human missions to the Moon.
The Moon has been visited and studied in the past, we even have samples from the Moon, but there are still unanswered questions concerning
• the Moon’s origin: is it compelling essential or random?
• the internal structure: how works the lunar mantle zone and does the Moon have a core?
• the reason for the dichotomy: why is the farside crust thicker; why are the centre of mass and the center of figure apart; what is the composition of the highland crust and how are rock forming minerals distributed in the highland crust?
• the volcanic evolution: how changes the composition of lava with time; how works dense magma through a less dense crust; what is the time scale of volcanism, what are the sources of volcanism; what are the heat source and processes for very young volcanic events?
• the characteristics of the lunar debris cover (regolith) and its interaction with the interplanetary environment: what are the characteristics of the lunar exosphere; how reacts the atmosphereless Moon with radiation and interplanetary particles.
• the origin, nature, and recent processes of volatiles (mostly OH or H2O) on and in the lunar surface and its importance for further lunar exploration.
Research capabilities and technologies comprise geosciences, physics, chemistry, biology, medicine, astronomy, remote sensing, sensor systems, robotic, measurement instrumentation, satellite systems, landing systems, navigation, operations, communication, dedicated lab-capabilities and capabilities for terrestrial analog investigations.
In the spirit of fostering collaboration between SSERVI partners we envisage to exchange scientists both senior scientist to provide experience and increase scientific and technical knowledge to the above topics as well as young researchers to improve their background and educate them for lunar exploration. The exchange of scientists foresees visits at SSERVI in Ames and other partner institutions as well as DLR to host scientists from SSERVI partners.
Members of the German Network of Lunar Science and Exploration are research institutions, universities and industrial companies that are involved in lunar research and technology development. On request of the Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR), the Institute of Planetary Research in Berlin is coordinating the lunar science and exploration activities related to this cooperation.