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Completed TRL 1 (started at 1, targeting 1)
X-ray computed tomography (XCT) provides 3D visualization of the interior structure of planetary materials, such as rocks and ices. The proposed work will advance capabilities of XCT instruments to be deployed on landers/rovers. By increasing chemical/structural sensitivity through the use of X-ray filtering and hyperspectral imaging, the proposed work would have applications across Moon, Mars, asteroid, and comet missions.
Multiple mission types to multiple planetary surfaces would benefit from an enhanced ability to directly image the interior of rocks and ices. XCT would fill a significant gap in current capabilities. XCT can contribute significantly to answering multiple Planetary Science Decadal Survey priorities as well as Moon to Mars Objectives and Artemis goals. Evidence for accretion, volcanism, impact modification, and hydrothermal activity are all preserved in astromaterials and within the imaging capabilities of XCT. Using XCT in concert with other techniques – such as bulk chemical analyses – would enable much higher fidelity interpretation of chronology, primitive solar system gas/dust reservoirs, origin of water and other volatiles, organics, etc. As such, once the XCT technologies have been developed at GSFC, they can be readily deployed and be highly competitive in multiple mission instrument calls; anywhere there is a lander or rover, XCT will be a possible payload.
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