page_title: BOLAS (spacecraft)
hierarchical_section_title: BOLAS (spacecraft)
caption_attribution_description: English: BOLAS (Bi-sat Observations of the Lunar Atmosphere above Swirls) is a spacecraft mission concept capable of making the repeated low altitudes measurements required in order to understand vital aspects of the lunar hydrogen cycle and space weathering. The concept, currently under study by NASA, involves two small identical CubeSat satellites, connected vertically above the lunar surface by a long thin tether.
context_page_description: Bi-sat Observations of the Lunar Atmosphere above Swirls is a spacecraft mission concept that would orbit the Moon at very low altitude in order to study vital aspects of the lunar surface. The concept, currently under study by NASA, involves two small identical CubeSat satellites connected vertically above the lunar surface by a 25 km long tether. The mission goal would be to understand the hydrogen cycle on the Moon, dust weathering, and the formation of lunar swirls.
context_section_description: Bi-sat Observations of the Lunar Atmosphere above Swirls (BOLAS) is a spacecraft mission concept that would orbit the Moon at very low altitude in order to study vital aspects of the lunar surface. The concept, currently under study by NASA, involves two small identical CubeSat satellites connected vertically above the lunar surface by a 25 km long tether. The mission goal would be to understand the hydrogen cycle on the Moon, dust weathering, and the formation of lunar swirls.
caption: Artist's rendering of the BOLAS concept. Vertical separation by the tether allows for a quasi-stable orbit and an extraordinary reduction in propellant requirement.
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