LUNAM 2000 (Lunar Atmosphere Mission)

LUNAM 2000 is a small mission dedicated to the coronagraphic imaging in the Na yellow doublet and to UV spectroscopy in the range 2800-3400 Angstrom o f the lunar atmosphere. These studies are possible only from Space. The sci entific return of LUNAM 2000 has a wider appeal for the study of transient atmospheres of other celestial bodies, in particular of Mercury. The missio n is in low Earth-orbit (about 350 km); a sun-synchronous or other orbits a re under investigation. The payload has very small weight, dimensions and p ower requests, and is essentially made with off-the-shelf components. It ca n be built and launched in less than 3 years from the approval. This time f rame nicely overlaps that of the European technological Mission SMART 1 and can greatly add to its scientific return. Furthermore, LUNAM 2000 can give very important information to define a mission to Mercury such as Bepi Col ombo.