Abstract A current renaissance of lunar exploration enables to search for lunar water deposits directly on the surface of the Moon with robotic rovers. We present a novel miniature semiconductor neutron spectrometer capable of mapping the water deposits using non-invasive detection of neutrons created underground by cosmic rays and thermalized by hydrogen. This prospecting package consists of a radiation detector to monitor the cosmic rays background, a thermal/epithermal neutron detector to measure flux of neutrons moderated by water, and a gamma spectrometer suitable for monitoring local changes of major elemental components of the lunar regolith. Using miniature semiconductor detectors allows to deploy them even on small commercial rovers where resources are extremely limited. The prospecting package is being developed for ispace lunar rover and studied for ESA EL3 rover. It is based on Timepix pixel sensors, with space heritage onboard NASA, ESA and JAXA vessels.
Highlights Water ice is present at lunar poles. Fluxes of thermal neutrons determine water content in the regolith. Cosmic radiation is the natural source of neutrons from lunar surface. Neutron spectrometer can detect the presence and abundance of hydrogen.
Miniature semiconductor neutron spectrometer HardPix for surface mapping of lunar water
Acta Astronautica ; 200 ; 620-625
2022-09-08
6 pages
Article (Journal)
Electronic Resource
English
(Timepix , HardPix , Neutron detector , Lunar water , Radiation monitor) , Acronyms/Abbreviations , National Aeronautics and Space Administration , NASA , European Space Agency , ESA , Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency , JAXA , International Space Station , ISS , Institute of Experimental and Applied Physics , Czech Technical University in Prague , IEAP CTU , European Radiation Sensors Array , ERSA , European Large Lunar Lander , EL3