Artemis 3 mission: NASA to develop moonquake detector for 2026 lunar landing

NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland is set to construct a moonquake detector for deployment during the Artemis 3 mission in 2026.

Return to Lunar Surface: Artemis 3 marks the return of astronauts to the Moon's surface after more than 50 years.

Introduction to LEMS: The Lunar Environment Monitoring Station (LEMS) will be one of the initial payloads for Artemis 3. LEMS is a compact seismometer designed to monitor ground motion from moonquakes around the lunar South Pole.

Purpose of LEMS: LEMS aims to provide continuous, long-term data on moonquakes to help scientists study the Moon's internal structure and formation process.

Lead Scientist and Collaboration: Mehdi Benna from the University of Maryland Baltimore County leads the LEMS team at NASA Goddard, with collaboration from other institutions.

Development of LEMS: Benna's team received funding in 2018 to develop LEMS, conceptualising it as a self-sustaining station capable of surviving lunar conditions.

Operational Duration: LEMS is designed to function on the lunar surface for up to two years, potentially becoming a vital component of a global lunar geophysical network.

Moonquake Origins: Moonquakes are caused by gravitational forces between the Earth and the Moon, as well as the Moon's expansion and contraction due to temperature changes.

Collaborating Institutions: Several institutions are involved in LEMS' development and operation, including the University of Arizona, Morehead State University, and Washington University in St. Louis.

Scientific Significance: LEMS, along with other candidate instruments, aims to gather crucial data about the lunar environment and interior, aiding in preparations for long-duration human presence on the Moon and future Mars missions. Final decisions on Artemis 3 payloads will be made later.