Ústav technické a experimentální fyziky Institute of Experimental and Applied Physics

Neutron detector for surface mapping of lunar water

NázevTitle
Neutron detector for surface mapping of lunar waterNeutron detector for surface mapping of lunar water
Druh výsledkuResult type
Příspěvek ve sborníkuProceedings paper
AutořiAuthors
R. Filgas, M. Malich, S. Pospíšil, T. Slavíček
Časopis / citaceJournal / citation
In: Proceedings of the International Astronautical Congress, IAC. Paris: International Astronautical Federation (IAF), 2021. ISSN 0074-1795. ISBN 9781713842965.
JazykLanguage
eng
ScopusScopus
2-s2.0-85127300998
RIVRIV
RIV/68407700:21670/21:00362431!RIV23-MSM-21670___
ProjektProject
Inženýrské aplikace fyziky mikrosvětaEngineering applications of microworld physics

AbstraktAbstract

A current renaissance of lunar exploration enables to search for lunar water deposits directly on the surface of the Moon with robotic rovers. We present a miniature detector capable of mapping the water deposits using non-invasive detection of neutrons created underground by cosmic rays and thermalized by hydrogen. This device consists of a cosmic radiation detector to monitor the background, a thermal neutron detector to measure flux of neutrons moderated by water, and a gamma spectrometer usable for monitoring local changes of major elemental components of the lunar regolith. The detector is being developed for 2024 ispace lunar mission and is based on Timepix pixel sensors, which are already space-proven through our devices onboard NASA, ESA and JAXA vessels. © 2021 International Astronautical Federation, IAF. All rights reserved.

A current renaissance of lunar exploration enables to search for lunar water deposits directly on the surface of the Moon with robotic rovers. We present a miniature detector capable of mapping the water deposits using non-invasive detection of neutrons created underground by cosmic rays and thermalized by hydrogen. This device consists of a cosmic radiation detector to monitor the background, a thermal neutron detector to measure flux of neutrons moderated by water, and a gamma spectrometer usable for monitoring local changes of major elemental components of the lunar regolith. The detector is being developed for 2024 ispace lunar mission and is based on Timepix pixel sensors, which are already space-proven through our devices onboard NASA, ESA and JAXA vessels. © 2021 International Astronautical Federation, IAF. All rights reserved.