shackleton imaged lro.
shackleton crater imaged earth-based radar.
some sites along shackleton s rim receive constant illumination. @ these locales sunlight available conversion electricity using solar panels, potentially making them locations future moon landings. temperature @ site more favorable @ more equatorial latitudes not experience daily temperature extremes of 100 °c when sun overhead, low −150 °c during lunar night.
while scientific experiments performed clementine , lunar prospector indicate presence of water in polar craters, current evidence far definitive. there doubts among scientists whether or not hydrogen in form of ice, concentration of ore depth below surface. resolution of issue require future missions moon. presence of water suggests crater floor potentially mined deposits of hydrogen in water form, commodity expensive deliver directly earth.
this crater has been proposed future site large infrared telescope. low temperature of crater floor makes ideal infrared observations, , solar cells placed along rim provide near-continuous power observatory. 120 kilometers crater lies 5-km tall malapert mountain, peak perpetually visible earth, , serve radio relay station when suitably equipped.
nasa has named rim of shackleton potential candidate lunar outpost, slated , running 2020 , continuously staffed crew 2024. location promote self-sustainability lunar residents, perpetual sunlight on south pole provide energy solar panels. furthermore, shadowed polar regions believed contain frozen water necessary human consumption , harvested fuel manufacture.
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