Mascon (Mass Concentration)

Author: Tianjiang Shuo

Website: https://cislunarspace.cn

Definition

Regions of anomalously high density beneath the lunar surface that cause locally enhanced gravitational pull. Lunar mascons are primarily located beneath large impact basins (such as Imbrium, Crisium, etc.), formed by dense basaltic material filling the basins. Mascons produce significant gravitational perturbations on orbiting spacecraft, causing orbit prediction errors to accumulate rapidly over time. This is the key reason why Chandrayaan-1's orbit could not be accurately predicted long after contact was lost.

Application Value

This concept is essential for understanding motion characteristics in orbital design and control, and plays a vital role in mission success.

  • Minimum Norm Solution
  • Rigid Body Dynamics
  • Variable-Size Design Space, VSDS
  • Analytical Gradient

References

  • 地月空间碎片地基探测能力现状与启示
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Contributors: ouyangjiahong, Ou Yang Jiahong