Systems Aspects of the Lunar Survey Viewfinder (LSV)

The operational and functional requirements of a lunar orbiting surface survey system necessitate the incorporation of a target acquisition and track subsystem. This subsystem would have to supply appropriate directional control signals for other sensors as well as provide a means for high resolution visual survey of targets of interest. The Lunar Survey Viewfinder (LSV), an opto-mechanical pointing and tracking telescope, employing man as an active element in the track loop, meets these objectives. According to the permitted degree of dependency of the LSV upon the spacecraft´s Guidance and Navigation (G & N) system, various instrument control schemes have been advanced. The optical and mechanical configuration of the instrument is a combined function of its specified parameters and the constraints due to its location within a given spacecraft unit. The system described within this paper (based upon an Apollo Command Module mounting of the LSV proper) provides a capability for high resolution survey of the lunar surface, the generation of pointing commands for various gimbaled sensors as well as image motion compensation signals for body mounted cameras, a means of coordinate location of selected lunar surface targets referenced to the G & N system, and the generation of impact probe alignment and launch parameters. The implications of the overall system are considered.