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Locations of the five Earth-Moon Lagrangian points, namely where the Earth and Moon gravitational forces upon a spacecraft cancel out: 1) Let R denote the (mean) Earth-Moon distance, that is 384,400 km. Then, the distance between the Moon and the Lagrangian point L1 equals 0.1596003*R, that is 61350 km. Consequently the Earth-to-L1 distance equals 0.8403997*R, that is 323050 km. 2) The distance between the Moon and the Lagrangian point L2 equals 0.1595926*R, that is 61347 km. 3) The distance between the Earth and the Lagrangian point L3 equals 0.992886*R, that is 381666 km. 4) The two " triangular " Lagrangian Points L4 and L5 are just at same distance R from Earth and Moon. 2. Terminal Longitude λ on the Moon Farside for Radio Waves emitted by Telecommunication Satellites in orbit around the Earth
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The "Lunar Farside Radio Lab" Study of the IAA, started in 1998 by late French astronomer Jean Heidmann (1923-2000), underwent substantial extensions and revisions since its coordination was taken up by this author. These modifications can be summarized as follows: 1) The goal of the Study was enlarged so as to encompass the whole of radio astronom...
Citations
The use of aggregated combat modeling in the cislunar environment has been demonstrated to inform acquisition decisions for the United States Space Force (USSF). First, the cislunar space is hypothesized as a future strategic conflict environment. As such, Lanchester, Lotka–Volterra, and Brackney models could be appropriate to describe such conflict. All models encompass a system of differential equations which parametrically capture the dynamics between friendly and hostile forces. While the Brackney model was constructed to explain two-dimensional land battle, this article adapts it for the respective three-dimensional space domain and applies it to strategic procurement. The analysis demonstrates the pre-eminence of Space Domain Awareness (SDA) in certain contexts while recognizing conditions in which spacecraft survivability holds greater importance.
The 'Lunar Farside Radio Lab' studies by the IAA, started in 1998 by late French astronomer Jean Heidmann, underwent substantial extensions and revisions. The modifications included inclusion of the whole of radio astronomy, rather than SETI. Four different scenario were envisages for the relevant space mission, dubbed RadioMoon. Heidmann proposed that a radiotelescope should be placed inside the 'Saha' moon farside crater. An earth-pointing antenna should also have to be located in the nearside Mare Amythii plain.
The “Lunar Farside Radio Lab” Study of the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA), started in 1998 by late French astronomer Jean Heidmann (1923-2000), underwent substantial extensions and revisions since its coordination was taken up by this author. These modifications can be summarized as follows:
1)
The goal of the Study was enlarged so as to encompass the whole of radio astronomy, rather than just SETI.
2)
It was stressed that, from the Lunar Farside, one can detect radio frequencies lower than 15 MHz (i.e. wavelenghts longer than 20 m) impossible to detect from the Earth because of the blocking effect of the Earth’s ionosphere. By detecting these radio waves from the Farside of the Moon, new discoveries should be expected especially in the fields of Cosmology and Stellar Astrophysics.
3)
Lunar Farside Crater Saha, initially selected by Heidmann to host a radiotelescope, was replaced by Lunar Farside Crater Daedalus, located justat the Earth’s Antipode on the Moon Farside. In fact, Daedalus is much more shielded than “Saha”, not only against the radiation emitted by any future spacecraft orbiting the Earth at distances higher than the geostationary orbit, but even against the radiation emitted by the future Space Stations located at the triangular Lagrangian points L4 and L5 of the Earth-Moon system, as proposed long ago by Jerry O’Neill of Princeton University.
4)
Four different scenario were envisaged for the relevant space mission, dubbed RadioMoon:
a)
Cheapest and easiest of all, just a spacecraft orbiting the Moon in its equatorial plane and carrying a 3-meter inflatable antenna detecting radio signals from the Universe when in the Shadow of the Earth, and downloading the data when above the Nearside.
b)
More expensive but not-so-hard-to-make: just the same as a) but with two or more spacecrafts, so as to create and interferometric Array in orbit around the Moon.
c)
More expensive still and hard-to-make, landing a Phased Array inside Daedalus and keeping the link with the Earth by a relay satellite in circular orbit around the Moon.
d)
Very expensive and difficult: the same as in b) but with the goal of creating of an Array of Phased Arrays inside Daedalus. Much robotic work would then be requested plus one or more relay satellites orbiting the Moon.
NASA is currently studying the possibility of establishing future space bases at either of the libration points (also called Lagrangian points) L1 and L2 of the Earth–Moon system. Two more similar points L1 and L2 of the Sun–Earth system are also under consideration. Such possible future space bases are called Gateways in the NASA jargon. Each Gateway has its own pros and cons in terms of gravitational pull, distance from the Earth, and targets attainable by future spacecraft departing from the Gateway. A preliminary, concise review of these alternative possibilities is presented in this paper.
Legal protection of the Farside of the Moon against man-made radio pollution and uncontrolled exploitation was proposed. It was stated that it would be possible to cope with the Radio Frequency Interference (RFI) that is plaguing all of Radioastronomy, Bioastronomy, and Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) by establishing a radiotelescope on the Farside of the Moon. It was suggested that the Farside should be partitioned into 3 sectors, each 60° wide to ensure the creation of future 'Lunar Farside Radio Lab' inside crater Daedalus with the Radiotelescope. The Farside of the Moon should also be protected by international agreements against wild commercial, industrial and military exploitation.
