NASA Selects Experiments for Possible Lunar Flights in 2019

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NASA Selects Experiments for Possible Lunar Flights in 2019
NASA | Moon to Mars | 2019 Feb 21

NASA has selected 12 science and technology demonstration payloads to fly to the Moon as early as the end of this year, dependent upon the availability of commercial landers. These selections represent an early step toward the agency’s long-term scientific study and human exploration of the Moon and, later, Mars. ...

The selected payloads include a variety of scientific instruments.

• The Linear Energy Transfer Spectrometer will measure the lunar surface radiation environment.
• Three resource prospecting instruments have been selected to fly:
  • The Near-Infrared Volatile Spectrometer System is an imaging spectrometer that will measure surface composition.
  • The Neutron Spectrometer System and Advanced Neutron Measurements at the Lunar Surface are neutron spectrometers that will measure hydrogen abundance.
• The Ion-Trap Mass Spectrometer for Lunar Surface Volatiles instrument is an ion-trap mass spectrometer that will measure volatile contents in the surface and lunar exosphere.
• A magnetometer will measure the surface magnetic field.
• The Low-frequency Radio Observations from the Near Side Lunar Surface instrument, a radio science instrument, will measure the photoelectron sheath density near the surface.
• Three instruments will acquire critical information during entry, descent and landing on the lunar surface, which will inform the design of future landers including the next human lunar lander.
• The Stereo Cameras for Lunar Plume-Surface Studies will image the interaction between the lander engine plume as it hits the lunar surface.
• The Surface and Exosphere Alterations by Landers payload will monitor how the landing affects the lunar exosphere.
• The Navigation Doppler Lidar for Precise Velocity and Range Sensing payload will make precise velocity and ranging measurements during the descent that will help develop precision landing capabilities for future landers.

There also are two technology demonstrations selected to fly.

• The Solar Cell Demonstration Platform for Enabling Long-Term Lunar Surface Power will demonstrate advanced solar arrays for longer mission duration.
• The Lunar Node 1 Navigation Demonstrator will demonstrate a navigational beacon to assist with geolocation for lunar orbiting spacecraft and landers.