Jakarta –
Indonesia has the potential to be involved in moon observation missions, which are usually carried out by developed countries. Head of the Space Research Center, National Research and Innovation Agency, Emanuel Sungging, explained the reason.
So far, astronomical observations are usually carried out at ground base with the camera facing the sky. Now, these observations can be made directly on the moon. This is an opportunity for Indonesia to collaborate on missions to the moon.
“So this morning, we will open our minds first and study these opportunities,” said Emanuel, quoted from his written statement.
SCROLL TO CONTINUE WITH CONTENT
He explained the advantages of making astronomical observations from the moon.
“When we want to observe the radio waves of this universe and do it from ground base on earth, it will have a lot of other radio wave intervention interference. “Meanwhile, if the observation is placed on the moon, radio wave intervention from the earth will be blocked by it,” he said.
He said that the moon has a permanently dark area under the crater with very low temperatures, so observation cameras placed on the moon do not need cooling.
“In addition, the lunar surface is more stable and has minimal movement, making it possible to create Very Long Baseline Interferometer (VLBI) on the moon because the cameras placed there do not need to be corrected as frequently as on earth. “The moon’s atmosphere is also very thin compared to the atmosphere in Earth’s lowest orbit, so starlight can be seen more clearly,” said Emanuel.
Chatief Kunjaya from the Astronomy Scientific Group of FMIPA ITB who also became Board of Directors of the International Lunar Observatory Association (ILOA). Kunjaya talked about the success of the ILO-X project which successfully landed on the moon and was flown by the Nova-C aircraft.
“ILO-X has proven to be successful because it was able to land on the Moon. Second, this project can communicate the results of its observation photos. Unfortunately, when it landed on the moon, one of the plane’s legs hit a rock and caused it to fall, so the camera observed in a tilted position from below which was less than optimal,” he said.
However, ILO-X is only an experiment to later launch the original projects, namely ILO-1 and ILO-2.
“The use of cameras in these projects is still static cameras so that taking pictures depends on where and which direction the plane carrying the camera is moving. A camera is needed that can move automatically to help optimize taking observation pictures on the moon,” he explained.
Apart from that, Kunjaya also explained that there is potential for Indonesia to participate in international space missions.
“By continuing to participate in the ILOA program, we can open up opportunities for Indonesia to further explore Indonesia’s outer space. Indonesia also has the opportunity to make a better camera for ILO-2. This activity is also hoped to be a means of increasing insight,” he explained.
Kunjaya emphasized that this is not immediately beneficial, but is beneficial in the future. “Indonesia must prepare especially in terms of capacity building because Indonesia has the potential to participate in the astronomical observatory mission on the moon,” he concluded.
(watch/watch)
