LunIR Satellite

LunIR
LunIR
LunIR
LunIR
LunIR
LunIR
LunIR
LunIR
LunIR
LunIR
LunIR
LunIR
Satellite name LunIR (SkyFire, Lunar InfraRed imaging)
Form factor CubeSat
Units or mass 6U
Status Was semi-operational? (Post on Twitter on 2022-12-08 as of 2022-12-24)
Launched 2022-11-16
NORAD ID ? (Not yet catalogued and tracked?)
Deployer CSD (Canisterized Satellite Dispenser) [Planetary Systems Corporation]
Launcher SLS (Space Launch System) (Artemis-1)
Entity name Lockheed Martin
Institution Company
Entity Commercial
Country US
GS Service KSAT
Oneliner

Lunar fly-by to collect spectroscopy and thermography using mid-wave infra-red sensor.

Description

During lunar fly-by, it will collect spectroscopy and thermography, address both Moon and Mars SKGs for surface characterization, remote sensing, and site selection. Hosting a mid-wave Infra-Red (MWIR) sensor. It will help address strategic knowledge gaps related to surface characterization, remote sensing, and site selection observations. The data collected on thermal environments will add to the body of knowledge on the composition, structure, interaction with the space environment, and interaction with solar particles and the lunar regolith.

Results

The company said in December that an “unexpected issue with our radio signal” kept the spacecraft from conducting any observations during the flyby. Nonetheless, Lockheed called the mission a successful technology demonstration by proving that an infrared sensor and cryocooler could be packaged into a 6U cubesat.

Solar panel(s) partially deployed, blocking antenna; flyby failed; DSN help requested.

Failure cause Ran into an unexpected issue with our radio signal and couldn’t snap any pics of the Moon.
Sources [1] [2] [3] [4]
Photo sources [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]
COTS subsystems
  • PLATFORM - Tyvak
Subsystems sources [1]
Keywords Propulsion, Beyond Earth orbit
On the same launch

Last modified: 2024-05-29

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Created by Erik Kulu

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