NSSDCA ID: 1971-063A-14
Mission Name: Apollo 15 Command and Service Module (CSM)This experiment, carried on board the Apollo 15 mission, utilized the S-band (13-cm) and very high frequency (VHF, 116-cm) transmitters on the Command and Service Module (CSM). The CSM was oriented to direct the transmissions to an area about 10 km in daim on the lunar surface. The radio signals reflected from the lunar surface were received at the earth in a manner that preserved the frequency, phase, polarization, and amplitude information. Differences between the known characteristics of the transmitted signals and the characteristics of the echoes from the lunar surface were used in conjunction with scattering theory to derive quantitative inferences about the moon. The lunar properties inferred were the dielectric constant, the average slope and slope probability, density, small-scale surface roughness, and embedded rocks to a depth of 20 m.
Questions and comments about this experiment can be directed to: Dr. David R. Williams
Name | Role | Original Affiliation | |
---|---|---|---|
Mr. Patrick E. Lafferty | General Contact | NASA Johnson Space Center | |
Dr. A. M. Peterson | Other Investigator | Stanford University | |
Prof. Von R. Eshleman | Other Investigator | Stanford University | eshleman@nova.stanford.edu |
Prof. G. Leonard Tyler | Other Investigator | Stanford University | len@nova.stanford.edu |
Prof. H. Taylor Howard | Principal Investigator | Stanford University |