Lunar Meteoroid Monitor (LMM)

Science goals and objectives: We propose to develop and advance the flight technical readiness level (TRL) of the Lunar Meteoroid Monitor (LMM) instrument to measure the flux, size and speed distributions, and directions of the meteoroids bombarding the lunar surface. These measurements have both scientific and technical importance supporting lunar explorations, including contributions to the development of dust impact hazard mitigation strategies for crewed and robotic missions to the Moon. Meteoroid impacts play a critical role in sustaining the tenuous lunar atmosphere and providing the delivery, transport, and loss mechanisms for volatiles that are also relevant for in situ resource utilization. The Lunar Ejecta and Meteorite (LEAM) experiment, placed on the surface during the Apollo 17 mission, most likely was swamped by slow-moving highly charged lunar fines. In addition, LEAM struggled with thermal issues and it could not be operated during the lunar day. The proposed LMM instrument will provide the capability for the long-term continuous monitoring of meteoroids bombarding the lunar surface. Methodology: The proposed LMM is a large surface area dust impact detector utilizing thin Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF) films. PVDF-based dust detectors have an excellent record in space applications, including instruments onboard the Giotto mission to comet Halley, Cassini to Saturn, New Horizons to Pluto, and the AIM Earth-orbiting satellite. This proposal is for the development of: a) a deployable structure to enable a large detector area while providing a compact configuration for stowing through launch; b) a low-power electronics for signal processing that will enable the use of LMM through the lunar night; and c) a thermal design to enable the safe operations of LMM during the lunar day (when temperatures can reach above 120 C) and night (when temperatures drop below -170 C). Relevance: LMM Science Questions address the following NASA strategic objectives: 1) LMM will make critical contributions to Identify processes involved with the atmosphere and dust environment of the Moon (SCEM 2007). Specifically, SCEM Science Goal 4b—Determine the source(s) for lunar polar volatiles, as meteorite bombardment can both deliver and sequester volatiles through burial. Similarly, Science Goal 8d—Learn how water vapor and other volatiles are released from the lunar surface and migrate to the poles, where they are adsorbed in polar cold traps. This goal recognizes that the expected sources of volatiles include comets, solar wind, and meteoroids. 2) The Planetary Science Decadal Survey 2013-2022 identified as a high priority science goal the continued evaluation of the effects of meteoroid impact fluxes and intensities on the development and evolution of life on the inner planets through an analysis of the impact record on the Moon and Mercury (p.119). 3) Lunar Human Exploration Strategic Knowledge Gap (SKG) Special Action Team Review (9/2016) in theme III (Understand how to work and live on the lunar surface), identified SKG 3H the need to develop experimental data for the range of micrometeorite impactors and impact energies expected in the lunar environment and stated that missions to the lunar surface, measuring micrometeorite impacts on instrumented sensors, are required to retire this gap. 4) ARTEMIS 3 Science Definition Report (2020) Goal 6k: Study and assess effects on materials of long-duration exposure to the lunar environment—Exposure to extreme temperatures, micrometeoroid bombardment, and radiation affect the long-term integrity of materials on the lunar surface. Similarly, Goal 7m: Monitor real-time environmental variables affecting safe operations, which includes monitoring for meteors, micrometeors, and other space debris that could potentially impact the lunar surface.

Developing Instrument or spacecraft technology to improve measurements for future lunar missions

This is a mature technology (TRL 7+) — the realistic path in is usually NASA's Technology Transfer Program: licensing an existing NASA patent, or a Space Act Agreement to use NASA facilities/expertise directly. NASA also runs a startup licensing program with no upfront fee for companies formed to commercialize a specific NASA technology.

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