Handheld Laser Mass Spec System for Light Volatile and Isotope Analysis on the Moon.

We propose to conduct a concept study to develop a Handheld Lunar Isotope and Volatile Analyzer (HaLIVA) system to be used by astronauts on the ARTEMIS 5 mission and beyond. A handheld laser MS system would enable astronauts to conduct a comprehensive in-situ survey of hydrogen and water on the lunar surface. HaLIVA will also detect helium, neon, and argon isotopes to determine the exposure ages, formation ages, and degree of mixing of lunar rocks, regolith, and ices. In this IRAD, we will experimentally determine the optimal instrument configuration and IR ablation laser pulse parameters to extract sufficient amounts of H, D, ⁴He, ³He, ²⁰Ne, ²¹Ne, ²²Ne, ³⁶Ar, ³⁸Ar, ⁴⁰Ar, and K from lunar and lunar analogue samples for subsequent analysis in a miniature MS.

This IRAD would enable progress in a novel capability for astronauts to conduct in-situ hydrogen, light volatile and their isotopes surveys on the lunar surface at multiple locations. HaLIVA will directly address Artemis Science Objectives 1, 2, and 4. For example, subobjective 1e: “Determine how impacts modify, redistribute, and mix materials” can be evaluated based on the uniformity of the ³He and ²¹Ne signals measured with HaLIVA at various locations. Similarly, HALIVA measurements of hydrogen isotopes over large areas on the Moon address subobjective 2a: “Determine the Compositional state (elemental, isotopic, mineralogic) and compositional distribution (lateral and with depth) of the volatile component in lunar polar regions.” Even though astronauts are not going to measure water in the PSR regions directly, water is not limited to PSR regions, and its origin is a subject of scientific debate, which could also be constrained with HaLIVA. HaLIVA can be instrumental in achieving goal 4b: “Understand the record of solar energetic particles, cosmic rays, gamma-ray bursts, and supernova.” Once the age of formation of a particular lunar outcrop is determined (⁴⁰Ar measurements) and it is determined that such outcrop is not significantly gardened (see measurements above), then by observing ³He, ²¹Ne, and using spallation production rates of both nuclides as a function of chemical composition, it would be possible to determine whether average solar cosmic rays and galactic cosmic rays fluxes were similar to present or substantially higher when the Sun was younger.

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