SLAM: Stanford Lunar Analysis Mission
"We must select each space mission, not just to achieve something that could not have been done before,
but to achieve something that should be done or is worth doing."
-Wertz and Larson, Space Mission Analysis and Design
but to achieve something that should be done or is worth doing."
-Wertz and Larson, Space Mission Analysis and Design
Mission Statement
SLAM is the first mission of its kind, aiming to send CubeSats to the Moon. Our mission is to design lunar satellite missions that can be carried out in large part by the Stanford community, as well as to determine existing Stanford infrastructure and capabilities that can help achieve those goals.
Concept Origin
The idea for SLAM originated amongst Stanford alumni at a class reunion. How better to demonstrate university capabilities in space than to send CubeSats, heralded as cheap and effective satellite solutions, to the Moon?
Why Do It?
Several reasons support the decision to send CubeSats to the Moon:
- It's an educational opportunity for all involved
- It will extend university capabilities in space
- It will allow us to gather data about the Moon to help future lunar lander missions
- It can be used as a great outreach tool
- It can help increase public interest in space
- It's a great PR opportunity for Stanford
- Perhaps most important, it's a great way to have FUN!!
Mission Goals
Mission goals include collecting such data as:
- Photos/videos
- Site determination for future lander missions
- Magnetic field
- Gravity field
- Radiation
Goals also include making the mission multidisciplinary by carrying Stanford-initiated payloads. This will help involve a variety of Stanford science and engineering disciplines. An additional goal is to broadcast back to Earth: "Beat Cal!" or the Stanford fight song. Our last goal is to make all of this happen by 2010.
SLAM Team
SLAM is currently comprised of three Stanford Aeronautics & Astronautics graduate students:
- Josh Alwood
- Katie Davis
- Forrest Hetherington
SLAM is part of a class project in the 2-quarter ENGR 235 sequence and is part of the Stanford Space Systems Development Laboratory (SSDL) directed by Prof. Bob Twiggs.
Join the Team!
SLAM is currently working on creating a student club at Stanford through which any interested students can join the team. Look for updates under the News section. Please feel free to email us at ENGR235@yahoogroups.com if you have any questions or would like to help out.