Four way Doppler measurements by Relay satellite and Main orbiter transponder, Differential VLBI radio Source
Outline of Instrument

The gravity field tells us whether massive matters are included or not under the soil. Information of the evolution of the Moon will be obtained by measuring the distribution of gravity fields.

RSAT(Relay SATellite)

Four-way Doppler measurements of Main Orbiter by using Relay Satellite for far-side gravity field for the first time.

VRAD(VLBI RADio source)

Orbits of the sub-satellites are precisely determined by tracking the radio sources onboard sub-satellites with differential VLBI, which contributes the accuracy of the gravity field, especially on the lunar limb areas.

Overview of Relay satellite
Overview of Relay satellite
Dimension 1m x 1m x 0.65m
Mass 45kg
Power 70W


Principle of Observation

The configurations of satellites and antennas

RSAT
The uplink radio wave from Usuda is relayed to the Main Orbiter via the relay satellite, which is returned to Usuda via relay satellite again. Then the Doppler frequency is measured at Usuda.
RSAT: 4way Doppler measurement by Relay satellite

RSAT: 4way Doppler measurement by Relay satellite

VRAD
Radio waves from the two sub-satellites are received at VERA radio telescopes in NAOJ and others.
VRAD: Differential VLBI observation of radio sources RS: Observation of the lunar ionosphere

VRAD: Differential VLBI observation of radio sources

RS: Observation of the lunar ionosphere

Location of VLBI ground stations
Location of VLBI
ground stations


Results Expected

Doppler measurements of the lunar far-side have not been done. RSAT overcomes this difficulty by using a relay satellite. The figure shows the improvement of selenoid height error with RSAT 4way observation.

Selenoid height error in meter
Selenopotential degree
Improvement of the gravity coefficients in lower degrees with VRAD, and higher degrees up to 30 degree with RSAT by one order.


PI Introduction
RSAT Noriyuki Namiki

Noriyuki Namiki

Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences,
School of Sciences, Kyushu Univ.


VRAD Hideo Hanada

Hideo Hanada

RISE (Research In Selenodesy) Project,
National Astronomical Observatory of Japan