Compact Lidar Spectrometer for Lunar Science and ISRU

Fibertek proposes to develop a rover-based Compact Lidar Spectrometer (CLS) to enable long-range stand-off detection of water ice and other surface volatile species. The CLS system is designed to provide simultaneous range and spectroscopic absorption data within the 2.5 um to 4 um wavelength band. A stand-off measurement capability from 10 m out to 10,000 m is anticipated for the system. The CLS instrument addresses scientific objectives outlined in both 2012 and 2023 Planetary Decadal Surveys and the 2018 LEAG Next Steps for Lunar Exploration, including determining the presence and distribution of water ice and other volatiles. The LCROSS mission’s discovery of water, hydrocarbon, and other species in Cabeus crater highlights the potential role of comets and micrometeorites in the delivery of water, organics, and other volatile species to the lunar surface. In-situ measurements of the D/H ratio of ices in permanently shadowed regions (PSRs) are needed to understand the relative importance of key processes which determined how these volatiles were first delivered to the polar cold traps and how they evolved over time. While the CLS instrument alone cannot provide answers to all these questions, the instrument can be used to rapidly map out large regions and identify areas of interest. Beyond planetary science goals, the CLS can similarly be used identify regions of water, methane, ammonia, and CO2 that are needed for in situ resource utilization. A CLS equipped rover can then strategically maneuver to areas most likely to provide the greatest return while minimizing risk. Once an area of interest has been identified, other scientific or ISRU instruments can be deployed to maximize mission goals. The enabling technology is a unique fan-out grating optical parametric oscillator resonator design providing broad infrared tunability within the 2.5 um to 4 um band. The proposed tunable IR laser transmitter heavily leverages heritage flight components to reduce dev risk.

The proposed Compact Lidar Spectrometer (CLS) instrument addresses two major applications areas for NASA: planetary science and in situ resource utilization (ISRU). The CLS provides a tool to the planetary science community that can be used to quickly map out large areas of water, other volatile species, and minerology. Information mapped by the CLS instrument can then be used to prioritize areas of interest for further investigation to maximize the scientific return. A CLS equipped rover can utilize the terrain mapping capability to maneuver safely and efficiently to the area of interest where other scientific or in situ resource utilization instrumentation can be deployed. For non-NASA applications, the CLS instrument would be most effective for in situ resource utilization (ISRU). The capability of the CLS instrument to quickly locate areas of water, other volatile species, and minerals has direct application to ISRU. The terrain mapping capability can be leveraged to prioritize and strategically plan access to areas of interest for ISRU.

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