HazMO The Hazard Mapping Orbiter
The goal of the Hazard Mapping Orbiter (HazMO) is to conduct a detailed study of the moon in order to identify potential hazards to future landings and human presence. The spacecraft will orbit the moon for 1-4 years making detailed altitude measurements and taking pictures at a higher resolution than ever before. It will also measure the radiation dangers near the moon's surface and will examine the surface for signs of potential resources.
In order to conduct its mission, HazMO carries a scientific payload of four instruments. This creates a unique problem of transmitting enormous ammounts of data - up to 450GB per day - across a vast region of space with enough power to still be detected by the Deep Space Network back on Earth. HazMO must also carefully maintain its attitude and orbit to mazimize the ammount of sunlight on its solar panels while protecting its electronics and instruments from the energy of the sun.
We considered several names before deciding on "HazMO". Initially, we wanted to use "selene", the Greek moon goddess, somewhere in the name. This eventually led to "SHMO" - the Selene Hazard Mapping Orbiter - which then became "HazMO".
The Moon HazMO's Target
HazMO is being designed by the second of two teams participating in Goddard's College Freshman Intern Program (CFIP) in the summer of 2005. The initial mission requirements were identical to those of LRO and were modified by the team to meet the team's goals.
I found out about Goddard's College Freshman Intern Program through an e-mail from my physics advisor at the University of Maryland, College Park. The application process involved writing a short essay on why I was interested in the program and getting two letters of recomendations. I asked my mentor from the previous summer and my math teacher from the previous semester to write letters for me.