of the Moon that have been carefully
stored and remained untouched for nearly
50 years. LLNL is part of the University of
New Mexico team of scientists that will
look at the vacuum-sealed samples to
study both the volatile element record and
the geologic history of the Apollo 17 site.
The teams were selected by NASA’s
Planetary Science Div. and will be funded
by the space agency’s Lunar Discovery
and Exploration Program. The goal is to get
the most data possible from these samples
in preparation for future lunar missions an-
ticipated in the 2020s and beyond.
LLNL will conduct the measurement
of noble gasses, as well as analyze major
and trace elements and chronology on
large clasts. Specifically, they will deter-
mine how noble gases were modified by
meteorite impacts on the regolith, define
the source of hydrogen in hydrogen-bear-
ing minerals in the regolith, and investigate
the origin of meteorites that hit the Moon
through its history. The group will also de-termine the ages of samples in the regolith
using a variety of dating techniques to bet-
ter understand the timing of crust forma-
tion on the Moon.
The samples won’t be opened right
away. First, the teams will work with staff at
NASA Johnson Space Center to determine
the best way to open the samples to avoidcontaminating them or destroying opportu-
nities to learn something from them.
The LLNL team will help characterize
samples and prepare a catalog so other
lunar scientists can eventually request
samples for specific analyses.
“These samples represent the first ma-
jor suite of lunar samples to be analyzed
since the end of the Apollo program, and
are likely to significantly change the way
we think about the Moon,” Borg said. NewsGeologist-astronaut Harrison “Jack”
Schmitt collects lunar rake samples during
the first Apollo 17 extravehicular activ-
ity. Schmitt will be part of the LLNL team
studying samples collected from the Apollo
missions. (Courtesy: NASA)Schmitt drove the Lunar Roving Vehicle ap-
proximately 22 miles while on the moon for
the Apollo 17 mission. (Courtesy: NASA)Visit aerotech.com or Call 412-963-7470
AH0419A-LPMUP TO 100% SPEED INCREASE
FOR LASER PROCESSING
Aerotech has increased the rotary speed of our cylindrical laser
processing platforms from 33% to 100%, all while maintaining our
legendary precision. Our platforms are available for everything from
the manufacture of cardiac and neural stents to 30 mm diameter
tube processing, and feature an integrated linear/rotary design with
both wet and dry cutting, automated material handling, and an
advanced and easy-to-use control architecture.
Contact Aerotech today to learn how over laser processing
platforms can increase your throughput.
LaserTurn® 1 - From
600 to 1000 rpm
(66% increase)LaserTurn® 2 - From
600 to 800 rpm
(33% increase)LaserTurn® 5 - From
600 to 800 rpm
(33% increase)ASR1100 - From
600 to 800 rpm
(33% increase)ASR1200 - From
600 to 800 rpm
(33% increase)CCS130DR - From
600 to 1000 rpm
(66% increase)
VascuLathe® ACS –
From 300 to 600 rpm
(100% increase)VascuLathe® ASR –
From 600 to 800 rpm
(33% increase)