Abstract
The Moon provides a long-term, stable, and unique location for Earth observation. Several space agencies, such as NASA, ESA, and CNSA, have conducted lunar explorations. To build a Moon-based observation station, site selection is the first step. The time coverage of Earth observation, e.g., the whole Earth disc observation or Earth-related plasmasphere and magnetosphere, the duration of sunlight coverage, and topography (i.e., slope) are the three major factors influencing site selection, especially in the Moon’s south pole region. In this study, we used the Chang’E digital elevation model (DEM) together with Earth, Moon, and Sun positions deduced from JPL ephemeris for site selection. Two craters, Faustini and Shoemaker, were chosen for the fuzzy evaluation of these three factors based on a multiple-input single-output (MISO) model during a 19-year period. The results show that the edge regions of craters and small hills, potholes, or uplifts inside craters are unsuitable for a Moon-based observation station. The south pole area, including these two craters, has relatively low time coverage of sunlight and some unevenly distributed, permanent shadow areas. This indicates a low thermal environment for radiation protection, whereas the relatively flat topography and the ability to cover a field of view several times the Earth’s radius enable observations of the plasmasphere and magnetosphere.
Highlights
The and higher-latitude areas, especially in the lunar south pole region, are hot spots for a Discussion the back side, since more craters are distributed on the front side, where the m
When the Moon station is used for Earth observation, e.g., whole-Earth disc observation or Earth-related plasmasphere/magnetosphere observation, the topography of the Moon’s surface should be considered during research on the slope, the time coverage of
The time coverage of sunlight determined without considering topography is markedly different from that determined with a consideration of topography; the time coverage of
Summary
Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. The whole Earth disc and Earth-related plasmasphere/magnetosphere are both were discussed for the Chang’E probe [21,22,23]; topography data were consid observation objects of interest for a Moon-based station. Site select as observation object is used tosuch explain evaluation main factors, including the surface on slope, the sunlight, and the visibilitytopography of the Earth disc, integrated in our focusing. The who disc as observation object is used to explain the evaluation model; three main fac cluding the surface slope, the sunlight, and the visibility of the Earth disc, are in posed This controller inputs the membership of multiple factors, and outputs the possibility of selection.
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