Image Reconstruction and Interpretation of Chang’ e-5 Lunar Regolith Penetrating Radar Data

Abstract

The Lunar Regolith Penetrating Radar (LRPR) onboard the Chang'e-5 (CE-5) lander can detect the subsurface structures of lunar regolith within 2 m. The data collected by CE-5 on the moon is processed in this paper. Then, the LRPR data of the lunar subsurface are reconstructed through frequency-domain reverse time migration (FRTM) algorithm and back-propagation (BP) algorithm, respectively. The results show that FRTM algorithm can provides a higher resolution than BP algorithm, which reconstructs the rock distributions in the lunar subsurface of CE-5 landing site. The rocks can be seen at the depths of about 0.8 m and 2 m, respectively, in the reconstructed image of the regolith structure blow the driller equipped on the lander. This prior information helped the decision-making of the lunar soil drilling task. Finally, the drilled hole was stopped at a depth of about 0.9 m. As a result, the LRPR of CE-5 contributes to the success of the lunar soil drilling and return task.