Lunar Flashlight science ground and flight measurements and operations using a multi-band laser reflectometer

• Published in: Icarus (New York, N.Y. 1962) Vol. 413; p. 116013
• Main Authors: Cohen, Barbara A., Petersburg, Ryan R., Cremons, Daniel R., Russell, Patrick S., Hayne, Paul O., Greenhagen, Benjamin T., Paige, David A., Camacho, Jose Martinez, Cheek, Nathan, Sullivan, Mark T., Robles, Valeria Lopez, Ban, Jessica, Horvath, Tyler, Gonzalez, Collin W., Bagheri, Mahmood, Ryan, Chad P., Payne, Christopher G., Sellar, R. Glenn, Vinckier, Quentin P., Adell, Philippe C., Kneis, Christina M., Baker, John D., McDonald, Dillan A., Starr, Mason S., Hauge, Michael J., Gutierrez, Marilyn Braojos, Lammens, Robert G., Lightsey, E. Glenn, Ready, W. Jud
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Goddard Space Flight Center Elsevier Inc 01.05.2024; Elsevier
• Subjects: Astronomy; Ices; Instrumentation; Lunar and Planetary Science and Exploration; Moon; Moon surface; Spectroscopy; Spectroscopy; Moon surface; Instrumentation; Ices; Moon; Moon Surface
• ISSN: 0019-1035; 1090-2643
• DOI: 10.1016/j.icarus.2024.116013

The Lunar Flashlight cubesat mission was designed and flown to collect new data on the abundance and distribution of water ice frost in lunar permanently shadowed regions (PSRs) using active laser spectroscopy. Key advantages of active spectroscopy are that it can collect surface reflectance data in locations and conditions where passive spectroscopy cannot operate, specifically nightside locations where no indirect lighting is available, and in the deepest parts of PSRs where indirect lighting may be too faint for passive spectroscopy. Lunar Flashlight launched in 2022 but because of a propulsion system failure, did not make it to the Moon to conduct its science investigation. However, Lunar Flashlight proved to be an extremely successful technology demonstration mission, meeting or exceeding all its technology-focused mission goals, including demonstrating its instrument functionality. This paper describes the extensive ground and test campaigns to characterize the Lunar Flashlight laser reflectometer instrument and its planned utility for science observations, along with recommendations for future instrument design, development, verification, and use. •The Lunar Flashlight mission lasted from December 2022 to June 2023.•As a Technology Demonstration mission, Lunar Flashlight met all its technology goals.•Despite not reaching the Moon, the Lunar Flashlight laser spectroscopy payload was successfully tested.•The payload ground and flight performance data can be used for future instrument development.