BOLAS (spacecraft)

Bi-sat Observations of the Lunar Atmosphere above Swirls (BOLAS)
	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.
Mission type	Reconnaissance, technology
Operator	NASA
Mission duration	≥ 1 year (proposed)
Spacecraft properties
Spacecraft type	Two tethered CubeSats
Bus	6U each
Dry mass	≈15 kg (33 lb) each
Dimensions	36×26×43 cm
Moon orbiter
Orbital parameters
Periselene altitude	10 km
Aposelene altitude	190 km
Inclination	30°

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 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.

^ Cite error: The named reference Choi 2019 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Tethered satellites could see the moon's weird swirls up close. Leah Crane, New Scientist. 9 August 2017.
^ Cite error: The named reference BOLAS Home was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[Choi_2019-1] Cite error: The named reference Choi 2019 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[Crane_2017-2] Tethered satellites could see the moon's weird swirls up close. Leah Crane, New Scientist. 9 August 2017.

[BOLAS_Home-3] Cite error: The named reference BOLAS Home was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

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