A Lunar Spectroscopic Tool for Raman Analysis (LUSTRA)

We will develop LUSTRA, a LUnar Spectroscopic Tool for Raman Analysis, an astronaut handheld instrument designed for efficient surface operation that enables astronauts to select and analyze samples with high potential to address high priority science questions in the Artemis III SDT report. LUSTRA is a green Raman spectrometer with 7 cm-1 resolution that collects spectra with Raman shifts ranging from 180-4000cm-1 to unequivocally identify Raman active minerals, chemicals, and volatiles. The instrument's spectrometer and laser wavelength are both self-calibrating and the laser power and detector integration time are autonomously determined to maximize spectral SNR. The instrument leverages on TRL 5 optical components that all have been validated during prior development of the Compact Integrated Raman Spectrometer (CIRS), an instrument designed for robotic deployment. LUSTRA's integrated controller is JPL's Common Instrument Electronics (CIE) board that has already been flight qualified to TRL 5 and is being incorporated into several JPL flight instruments. Firmware for the controller as well as drive electronics for many of LUSTRA's optomechanical subsystems has already been developed and tested to TRL 4. LUSTRA's battery and power management subsystems have flight heritage established from their use on the Mars2020's helicopter. LUSTRA will be validated to TRL 6 and built to be ergonomically and functionally suitable for astronaut use in the dusty lunar environment over repeated use during daytime EVA's. LUSTRA is a versatile instrument that provides definitive mineralogy and mineral chemistry without sample preparation. LUSTRA's key scientific capabilities include evaluation of impact and space weathering products, characterization of volatiles and volatile deposits within the regolith and lunar ice, and any potential human contaminants. In a handheld configuration, LUSTRA is a powerful tool for performing science-grade measurements, providing a wide spectrum of information on the sample's composition and characteristics, taken in real-time by astronauts across a wide range of locations that may be difficult or impossible to acquire via a Raman instrument on board a lunar rover. Data collected by astronauts using a handheld version of CIRS is critical for a wide range of current high priority lunar science questions ranging from understanding the geologic processes that shaped the early Earth, characterizing the impact history of the Earth-Moon system, to providing information on the character and origin of lunar polar volatiles. LUSTRA is designed to enable all 3 science themes for lunar science listed in the 2023-2032 Decadal Survey and 4 out of 7 science objectives specified by the Artemis III SDT report. Additionally, the instrument is ideally suited to provide critical in-situ information for pre-selection of samples for sample return and further analysis on Earth, both stated as critical components for answering top priority lunar science questions as defined by the Decadal Survey and the Artemis III SDT report.

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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