{"id":637308,"date":"2024-03-26T16:22:15","date_gmt":"2024-03-26T20:22:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/?post_type=press-release&p=637308"},"modified":"2024-03-26T16:22:16","modified_gmt":"2024-03-26T20:22:16","slug":"nasa-selects-first-lunar-instruments-for-artemis-astronaut-deployment","status":"publish","type":"press-release","link":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/news-release\/nasa-selects-first-lunar-instruments-for-artemis-astronaut-deployment\/","title":{"rendered":"NASA Selects First Lunar Instruments for Artemis Astronaut Deployment"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\"><div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\"><div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\"><figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-cover \"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/artemis-astronaut-with-instrument.jpg\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1571\" height=\"953\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/artemis-astronaut-with-instrument.jpg?w=1571\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/artemis-astronaut-with-instrument.jpg 1571w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/artemis-astronaut-with-instrument.jpg?resize=300,182 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/artemis-astronaut-with-instrument.jpg?resize=768,466 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/artemis-astronaut-with-instrument.jpg?resize=1024,621 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/artemis-astronaut-with-instrument.jpg?resize=1536,932 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/artemis-astronaut-with-instrument.jpg?resize=400,243 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/artemis-astronaut-with-instrument.jpg?resize=600,364 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/artemis-astronaut-with-instrument.jpg?resize=900,546 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/artemis-astronaut-with-instrument.jpg?resize=1200,728 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1571px) 100vw, 1571px\" loading=\"eager\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\"><div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">Artist\u2019s concept of an Artemis astronaut deploying an instrument on the lunar surface.<\/div><div class=\"hds-credits\">Credits: NASA<\/div><\/figcaption><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p>NASA has chosen the first science instruments designed for astronauts to deploy on the surface of the Moon during Artemis III. Once installed near the lunar South Pole, the three instruments will collect valuable scientific data about the lunar environment, the lunar interior, and how to sustain a long-duration human presence on the Moon, which will help prepare NASA to send astronauts to Mars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>“Artemis marks a bold new era of exploration, where human presence amplifies scientific discovery. With these innovative instruments stationed on the Moon’s surface, we’re embarking on a transformative journey that will kick-start the ability to conduct human-machine teaming – an entirely new way of doing science,” said NASA Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy. “These three deployed instruments were chosen to begin scientific investigations that will address key Moon to Mars science objectives.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The instruments will address three Artemis science objectives: understanding planetary processes, understanding the character and origin of lunar polar volatiles, and investigating and mitigating exploration risks. They were specifically chosen because of their unique installation requirements that necessitate deployment by humans during moonwalks. All three payloads were selected for further development to fly on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/mission\/artemis-iii\/\">Artemis III<\/a> that\u2019s targeted to launch in 2026, however, final manifesting decisions about the mission will be determined at a later date. Members of these payload teams will become members of NASA\u2019s Artemis III science team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Lunar Environment Monitoring Station (LEMS) is a compact, autonomous seismometer suite designed to carry out continuous, long-term monitoring of the seismic environment, namely ground motion from moonquakes, in the lunar south polar region. The instrument will characterize the regional structure of the Moon\u2019s crust and mantle, which will add valuable information to lunar formation and evolution models. LEMS previously received four years of NASA\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www1.grc.nasa.gov\/space\/pesto\/investment-areas\/dali\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Development and Advancement of Lunar Instrumentation<\/a> funding for engineering development and risk reduction. It is intended to operate on the lunar surface from three months up to two years and may become a key station in a future global lunar geophysical network. LEMS is led by Dr. Mehdi Benna, from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Lunar Effects on Agricultural Flora (LEAF) will investigate the lunar surface environment\u2019s effects on space crops. LEAF will be the first experiment to observe plant photosynthesis, growth, and systemic stress responses in space-radiation and partial gravity.  Plant growth and development data, along with environmental parameters measured by LEAF, will help scientists understand the use of plants grown on the Moon for both human nutrition and life support on the Moon and beyond. LEAF is led by Christine Escobar of Space Lab Technologies, LLC, in Boulder, Colorado.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Lunar Dielectric Analyzer (LDA) will measure the regolith’s ability to propagate an electric field, which is a key parameter in the search for lunar volatiles, especially ice. It will gather essential information about the structure of the Moon\u2019s subsurface, monitor dielectric changes caused by the changing angle of the Sun as the Moon rotates, and look for possible frost formation or ice deposits. LDA, an internationally contributed payload, is led by Dr. Hideaki Miyamoto of the University of Tokyo and supported by JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThese three scientific instruments will be our first opportunity since Apollo to leverage the unique capabilities of human explorers to conduct transformative lunar science,\u201d said Joel Kearns, deputy associate administrator for exploration in NASA\u2019s Science Mission Directorate in Washington. \u201cThese payloads mark our first steps toward implementing the recommendations for the high-priority science outlined in the Artemis III Science Definition Team <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/artemis-iii-science-definition-report-12042020c.pdf?emrc=66372bf63697f\">report<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Artemis III, the first mission to return astronauts to the surface of the Moon in more than 50 years, will explore the south polar region of the Moon, within 6 degrees of latitude from the South Pole. Several <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/news-release\/nasa-identifies-candidate-regions-for-landing-next-americans-on-moon\/\">proposed landing regions<\/a> for the mission are located among some of the oldest parts of the Moon. Together with the permanently shadowed regions, they provide the opportunity to learn about the history of the Moon through previously unstudied lunar materials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/specials\/artemis\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Artemis<\/a> campaign, NASA will land the first woman, first person of color, and its first international partner astronaut on the Moon, and establish long-term exploration for scientific discovery and preparation for human missions to Mars for the benefit of all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For more information on Artemis science, visit:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/lunar-science\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/lunar-science<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">-end-<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Karen Fox \/ Erin Morton<br>Headquarters, Washington<br>202-358-1257 \/ 202-805-9393<br><a href=\"mailto:karen.c.fox@nasa.gov\">karen.c.fox@nasa.gov<\/a> \/ <a href=\"mailto:erin.morton@nasa.gov\">erin.morton@nasa.gov<\/a> <a href=\"mailto:\"><\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"nasa-gb-align-full width-full maxw-full padding-x-3 padding-y-0 article_a hds-module hds-module-full wp-block-nasa-blocks-credits-and-details\">\n<section class=\"padding-x-0 padding-top-5 padding-bottom-2 desktop:padding-top-7 desktop:padding-bottom-9\">\n\t<div class=\"grid-row grid-container maxw-widescreen padding-0\">\n\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-2 padding-right-4 margin-bottom-5 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"padding-top-3 border-top-1px border-color-carbon-black\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"margin-bottom-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"heading-14\">Share<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"padding-bottom-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"social-icons social-icons-round\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"social-icon social-icon-x\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a 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1.12 2.48 2.5zm.02 4.5h-5v16h5v-16zm7.982 0h-4.968v16h4.969v-8.399c0-4.67 6.029-5.052 6.029 0v8.399h4.988v-10.131c0-7.88-8.922-7.593-11.018-3.714v-2.155z\"\/><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"social-icon social-icon-rss\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"\/feed\/\" aria-label=\"Subscribe to RSS feed.\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 800 800\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M493 652H392c0-134-111-244-244-244V307c189 0 345 156 345 345zm71 0c0-228-188-416-416-416V132c285 0 520 235 520 520z\"\/><circle cx=\"219\" cy=\"581\" r=\"71\"\/><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-5 padding-right-4 margin-bottom-5 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"padding-top-3 border-top-1px border-color-carbon-black\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"margin-bottom-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"heading-14\">Details<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-row margin-bottom-3\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-4\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"subheading\">Last Updated<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-8\">Mar 26, 2024<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-row\"><div class=\"grid-col-4\"><div class=\"subheading\">Location<\/div><\/div><div class=\"grid-col-8\"><a class=\"hds-location-tag-name\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/nasa-headquarters\/\"><span class=\"hds-meta-heading\">NASA Headquarters<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-5 padding-right-4 margin-bottom-5 desktop:margin-bottom-0\"><div class=\"padding-top-3 border-top-1px border-color-carbon-black \"><div class=\"margin-bottom-2\"><h2 class=\"heading-14\">Related Terms<\/h2><\/div><ul class=\"article-tags\"><li class=\"article-tag\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/missions\/artemis\/\">Artemis<\/a><\/li><li class=\"article-tag\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/missions\/artemis\/artemis-iii-nasas-first-human-mission-to-the-lunar-south-pole\/\">Artemis 3<\/a><\/li><li class=\"article-tag\"><a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/moon\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Earth's Moon<\/a><\/li><li class=\"article-tag\"><a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Science & Research<\/a><\/li><li class=\"article-tag\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/technology\/\">Technology<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\t<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>NASA has chosen the first science instruments designed for astronauts to deploy on the surface of the Moon during Artemis III. Once installed near the lunar South Pole, the three instruments will collect valuable scientific data about the lunar environment, the lunar interior, and how to sustain a long-duration human presence on the Moon, which [...]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":645,"featured_media":637312,"template":"","meta":{"nasa_hds_core_meta_l10n":"en-US","nasa_hds_core_meta_article_editor":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_article_contacts":[],"nasa_hds_core_meta_article_topic":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_linked_locations":["283564"],"nasa_hds_core_meta_article_related_articles":[],"hds_migrate_meta_pr_release_id":"24-047","hds_migrate_meta_pr_release_type":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_location_x":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_location_y":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_gallery_images":[]},"categories":[2681,2919,3760,2662,2661],"news-tags":[12376],"internal-terms":[],"coauthors":[13178],"parsely":{"version":"1.1.0","meta":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","headline":"NASA Selects First Lunar Instruments for Artemis Astronaut Deployment","url":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/news-release\/nasa-selects-first-lunar-instruments-for-artemis-astronaut-deployment\/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/news-release\/nasa-selects-first-lunar-instruments-for-artemis-astronaut-deployment\/"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/artemis-astronaut-with-instrument.jpg?w=150&h=150&crop=1","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/artemis-astronaut-with-instrument.jpg"},"articleSection":"Missions","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Tiernan P. Doyle"}],"creator":["Tiernan P. Doyle"],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"NASA","logo":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/themes\/nasa\/assets\/images\/nasa-logo.svg"},"keywords":["Technology","Artemis","Artemis 3","Earth's Moon","Science & Research"],"dateCreated":"2024-03-26T20:22:15Z","datePublished":"2024-03-26T20:22:15Z","dateModified":"2024-03-26T20:22:16Z"},"rendered":"<meta name=\"parsely-title\" content=\"NASA Selects First Lunar Instruments for Artemis Astronaut Deployment\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-link\" content=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/news-release\/nasa-selects-first-lunar-instruments-for-artemis-astronaut-deployment\/\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-type\" content=\"post\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-image-url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/artemis-astronaut-with-instrument.jpg?w=150&h=150&crop=1\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-pub-date\" content=\"2024-03-26T20:22:15Z\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-section\" content=\"Missions\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-tags\" content=\"Technology,Artemis,Artemis 3,Earth's Moon,Science & Research\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-author\" content=\"Tiernan P. Doyle\" \/>","tracker_url":"https:\/\/cdn.parsely.com\/keys\/nasa.gov\/p.js"},"read_time":4,"featured_image":{"id":637312,"file":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/artemis-astronaut-with-instrument.jpg","title":"artemis-astronaut-with-instrument","alt":"artist concept; Artemis astronaut wearing an all-white space suit deploying an instrument on the lunar surface.","caption":"Artist\u2019s concept of an Artemis astronaut deploying an instrument on the lunar surface."},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/press-release\/637308"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/press-release"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/press-release"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/645"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/press-release\/637308\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":637327,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/press-release\/637308\/revisions\/637327"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/637312"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=637308"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=637308"},{"taxonomy":"news-tags","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news-tags?post=637308"},{"taxonomy":"internal-terms","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/internal-terms?post=637308"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=637308"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}