Abstract
Parameter estimation of the lunar regolith not only provides important information about the composition but is also critical to quantifying potential resources for lunar exploration and engineering for human outposts. The Lunar Penetrating Radar (LPR) onboard China’s Chang’E-3 (CE-3) provides a unique opportunity for mapping the near-surface stratigraphic structure and estimating the parameters of the regolith. In this paper, the electrical parameters and the iron-titanium content of regolith are estimated based on the two sets of LPR data. Firstly, it is theoretically verified that the relative dielectric constant can be estimated according to the difference of the reflected time of two receivers from a same target. Secondly, in order to verify the method, a parameter estimation flow is designed. Subsequently, a simple model and a complex model of regolith are carried out for the method verification. Finally, on the basis of the two sets of LPR data, the electrical parameters and the iron-titanium content of regolith are estimated. The relative dielectric constant of regolith at CE-3 landing site is 3.0537 and the content of TiO2 and FeO is 14.0127%. This helps us predict the reserves of resources at the CE-3 landing site and even in the entire Mare Imbrium.
Highlights
As said in Reference [1], the surface of the Moon has collided with small and large asteroidal and cometary materials for 25 billion years
Krotikov et al [7] used a ground-based radio telescope to analyze the mechanical properties of lunar regolith; Tyler [8] analyzed the properties of regolith based on the Explorer electromagnetic echo; Alan et al [9] and Pollack et al [10] analyzed the relationship between the dielectric constant and density of large regions, such as highlands and basins, by using radar echo; Pommero et al [11] analyzed the mineral composition, especially the iron and titanium content, with the Lunar Radar Sounder (LRS) data of the SELENE mission
According to the geometric propagation law of electromagnetic waves, the propagation paths of two different electromagnetic waves are used to deduce the position of the anomalous body and the electrical parameters of the medium
Summary
As said in Reference [1], the surface of the Moon has collided with small and large asteroidal and cometary materials for 25 billion years. Krotikov et al [7] used a ground-based radio telescope to analyze the mechanical properties of lunar regolith; Tyler [8] analyzed the properties of regolith based on the Explorer electromagnetic echo; Alan et al [9] and Pollack et al [10] analyzed the relationship between the dielectric constant and density of large regions, such as highlands and basins, by using radar echo; Pommero et al [11] analyzed the mineral composition, especially the iron and titanium content, with the Lunar Radar Sounder (LRS) data of the SELENE mission These long-range detection methods can detect large areas but their accuracies are low.
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