An image of the Ukraine-built Tsyklon launcher.
An image of the Ukraine-built Tsyklon launcher.
A lunar mission project has very recently emerged from the other
heir of the Soviet space power: Ukraine, which has inherited the
production of the Tsiklon and Zenith launchers.
The Ukrainian Space Agency has recently proposed the launch of a 300 kg
lunar polar orbiter, presumably on a Tsyklon launcher. The mission
would be extremely interesting, its emphasis being on the study of
regolith and polar areas. The probe would carry three instruments: a
synthetic aperture radar for detailed mapping of the shadowed polar
areas and for ice deposit searching, a ground penetrating radar to
study the stratigraphy of regolith and a polarimetric camera to
understand the structure characteristics of regolith.
Bibliography
Anselmo, L.: A Feasibility Assessment of Small Italian Lunar
Missions; JBIS, vol. 53, pp. 259-265
Shkuratov, Yu. G., et al.: A Prospective Lunar Orbiter Mission:
Objectives and Scientific Payload; paper presented at the New
Views of the Moon, Europe conference. Available
on-line
Related Links
Encyclopedia Astronautica: Tsyklon launcher
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