Abstract
The lunar surface consists of rocks of varying sizes and shapes, which are made of minerals, such as pyroxene, plagioclase, olivine, and ilmenite, that exhibit distinctive spectral characteristics in the visible and near-infrared (VIS–NIR) and short-wave infrared (SWIR) regions. To analyze the composition of the lunar surface minerals, several spectrometers based on acousto-optic tunable filters (AOTFs) have been developed to detect lunar surface objects and to obtain their reflectance spectra and geometric images. These spectrometers, including the VIS–NIR imaging spectrometer onboard China’s Chang’e 3/4 unmanned lunar rovers and the Lunar Mineralogical Spectrometer onboard the Chang’e 5/6 lunar landers, use AOTFs as dispersive components. Both are equipped with a VIS/NIR imaging spectrometer, one or several SWIR spectrometers, and a calibration unit with dust-proofing functionality. They are capable of synchronously acquiring the full spectra of the lunar surface objects and performing in-situ calibrations. We introduce these instruments and present a brief description of their working principle, implementation, operation, and major specifications, in addition to the initial scientific achievement of lunar surface exploration.
Highlights
Morphological and spectral measurements are the two major methods of analyzing rock structures and compositions.[1]
The minerals have distinctive spectral characteristics in the VIS/NIR and short-wave infrared (SWIR) wavebands that can be used for identification
Lunar mineralogical spectrometer (LMS) is a payload integrated with a scanning module and spectral programmable imaging spectrometer for a future lunar lander
Summary
Morphological and spectral measurements are the two major methods of analyzing rock structures and compositions.[1]. An imaging spectrometer based on AOTF is especially suitable for deep space exploration applications (Moon, Mars, and asteroid detection), because of the characteristics such as electronically tunable spectral selectivity, environmental adaptability, rapid response, and simple structure.[5,6,7]. European Space Agency (ESA) successfully launched the Mars Express loaded with the SPICAM (Spectroscopy for Investigation of Characteristics of the Atmosphere of Mars) spectrometer in 2003.8 In 2005, ESA Venus Express satellite was . He et al.: Spectrometers based on acousto-optic tunable filters for in-situ. Lunar mineralogical spectrometer (LMS) is a payload integrated with a scanning module and spectral programmable imaging spectrometer for a future lunar lander
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
