Positioning, navigation, and timing on the Moon and Mars with galactic cosmic rays
G. Leone,
H.K.M. Tanaka,
M. Holma,
S. Krishnan,
A.R. Duffy,
T. Enqvist,
P. Kuusiniemi,
J. Joutsenvaara,
G. Cerretto,
E. Cantoni,
M. Sellone,
J. Marteau,
D. Lo Presti,
J.G. Szűcs,
D. Varga
Affiliations
G. Leone
Instituto de Investigación en Astronomía y Ciencias Planetarias, Universidad de Atacama, Atacama, Chile; International Virtual Muography Institute, Tokyo, Japan, Global
H.K.M. Tanaka
International Virtual Muography Institute, Tokyo, Japan, Global; International Muography Research Organization (MUOGRAPHIX), The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan; Earthquake Research Institute, The University of Tokyo, 1-1-1 Yayoi, Bunkyo, Tokyo 113 -0032, Japan; Corresponding author
M. Holma
International Virtual Muography Institute, Tokyo, Japan, Global; Kerttu Saalasti Institute, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland; Muon Solutions Oy Ltd, Pyhäsalmi, Finland; Arctic Planetary Science Institute (APSI), Rovaniemi, Finland
S. Krishnan
International Virtual Muography Institute, Tokyo, Japan, Global; Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, VIC 3122, Australia; mDetect, South Yarra, VIC 3141, Australia
A.R. Duffy
International Virtual Muography Institute, Tokyo, Japan, Global; Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, VIC 3122, Australia; mDetect, South Yarra, VIC 3141, Australia
T. Enqvist
Muon Solutions Oy Ltd, Pyhäsalmi, Finland
P. Kuusiniemi
International Virtual Muography Institute, Tokyo, Japan, Global; Muon Solutions Oy Ltd, Pyhäsalmi, Finland; Arctic Planetary Science Institute (APSI), Rovaniemi, Finland
J. Joutsenvaara
International Virtual Muography Institute, Tokyo, Japan, Global; Kerttu Saalasti Institute, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland; Muon Solutions Oy Ltd, Pyhäsalmi, Finland; Arctic Planetary Science Institute (APSI), Rovaniemi, Finland
G. Cerretto
International Virtual Muography Institute, Tokyo, Japan, Global; Istituto Nazionale di Ricerca Metrologica (INRIM), Torino, Italy
E. Cantoni
International Virtual Muography Institute, Tokyo, Japan, Global; Istituto Nazionale di Ricerca Metrologica (INRIM), Torino, Italy
M. Sellone
International Virtual Muography Institute, Tokyo, Japan, Global; Istituto Nazionale di Ricerca Metrologica (INRIM), Torino, Italy
J. Marteau
International Virtual Muography Institute, Tokyo, Japan, Global; MUODIM, 31 rue Saint-Maximin, 69003 Lyon and IP2I, Université Lyon-1, CNRS, 69622 Villeurbanne cedex, France
D. Lo Presti
International Virtual Muography Institute, Tokyo, Japan, Global; Dipartimento di Fisica, Università di Catania, Via S. Sofia 64, 95123 Catania, Italy
J.G. Szűcs
International Virtual Muography Institute, Tokyo, Japan, Global; HUN-REN Wigner Research Center for Physics, Konkoly-Thege Miklós út 29-33, 1121 Budapest, Hungary
D. Varga
International Virtual Muography Institute, Tokyo, Japan, Global; HUN-REN Wigner Research Center for Physics, Konkoly-Thege Miklós út 29-33, 1121 Budapest, Hungary
Summary: The muometric wireless navigation system (MuWNS) is a technology enabling signal reception for machine controlling and communication systems underground where a radio or GPS signal would normally be lost. The penetrative power of muons in rock allows signal transmission from the surface down to 1.5–2.0 km of depth on Earth, depending on rock density. Such a depth would not be easily reached on the Moon and Mars, but an inflatable structure containing an artificial atmosphere would allow the muon production necessary for a thorough exploration and suitability assessment of existing lava tubes or borehole excavation to host a base. The density maps obtained by muography can also show the eventual presence of valuable metals, minerals, or water ice for in-situ resource utilization (ISRU). MuWNS’ broad spectrum of applications is crucial for the first deployment and then the correct functioning of an underground base on the Moon or Mars.
