Abstract This article presents a system design and a surface operations concept for a robotically deployable, small scientific observatory on the lunar surface. The design reference mission scenario considers its implementation as part of larger international exploration mission such as the European Exploration Envelope Programme. The underlying science case particularly addresses scientific objectives for long term observations as part of scientific networks. Considered strawman payload for this surface station focuses on instruments which are – or could be – candidates for geophysical and astronomical observation networks. A seismometer, a radio experiment and an IR telescope have been taken as sizing case to assess the station's system budgets. First part of the article looks at the station design from engineering perspective whether a small modular station can address common needs of such instruments such as a sustained operation in the lunar environment. Focus is given to design features to enable the station's deployment by robotic assets. Secondly, the core unit of the conceptualized station has been built as engineering model including its basic system functions, interfaces to neighboring mission elements such as the lander vehicle and the rover and a set of geophones as representative for a science instrument. This hardware realization was used in a functional end-to-end demonstration from robotic deployment to delivery of geo-scientific data. The mission demonstration has been carried out in a Moon analogue field test on Mt. Etna, Sicily/Italy and confirmed the general feasibility of the proposed concept for lunar scientific exploration. Particularly, the evaluation of the acquired seismic data confirmed its suitability for sub-surface exploration. Results from the Moon analogue test are presented together with the design details of the surface station and the necessary conditions for its implementation and use in a robotic exploration scenario.

中文翻译：

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可机器人部署的月球表面科学站及其在月球模拟环境中的验证

摘要 本文介绍了月球表面可机器人部署的小型科学天文台的系统设计和表面操作概念。设计参考任务场景将其实施视为更大的国际勘探任务的一部分，例如欧洲勘探包络计划。基础科学案例特别涉及作为科学网络一部分的长期观测的科学目标。考虑到该地面站的稻草人有效载荷侧重于或可能是地球物理和天文观测网络的候选仪器。地震仪、无线电实验和红外望远镜已被用作评估台站系统预算的选型案例。文章的第一部分从工程角度考察了空间站设计，一个小型模块化空间站是否可以满足此类仪器的共同需求，例如在月球环境中的持续运行。重点是设计功能，以通过机器人资产实现空间站的部署。其次，将概念化站的核心单元构建为工程模型，包括其基本系统功能、与着陆器和漫游车等相邻任务元素的接口以及一组代表科学仪器的地震检波器。这种硬件实现用于从机器人部署到地球科学数据交付的功能性端到端演示。任务演示是在山上的月球模拟现场测试中进行的。埃特纳火山 西西里岛/意大利并确认了拟议的月球科学探索概念的总体可行性。特别是，对采集的地震数据的评估证实了其适合地下勘探。月球模拟测试的结果与地面站的设计细节及其在机器人探索场景中实施和使用的必要条件一起呈现。