A Langmuir probe system on-board the emirates lunar mission s rashid rover

S. G. Elsa, T. Bekkeng, L. Clausen, S. Adhikari, A. Eklund, W. Miloch, F. Arneodo, S. Kalos, L. Manenti, A. Sharaf, S. Almaeeni, H. Almarzooqi

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

The lunar electron sheath is considered the main driver for the transport of dust across the lunar surface. Lunar surface missions have collected large amounts of indirect evidence of this sheath. However, no direct measurement of the density of the low energy electrons, below approximately 10 eV, which would be representative of the photo-electron population close to the lunar surface, has been conducted yet. Measuring the photo-electron density in-situ will allow to determine the yield factor of the lunar surface. If done at several locations on the lunar surface this would provide the ability to spatially map the yield factor and thereby identify areas of greater surface charging and thus potentially enhanced dust movement. A mobile system which would allow to collect such horizontally and vertically resolved photo-electron profiles, would be a major improvement in understanding lunar surface charging, dust transport, and the formation and evolution of the lunar surface plasma sheath. In this paper the Langmuir probe system on-board the Emirates Lunar Mission s Rashid rover is presented. This system consists of four Langmuir probes, distributed across the rover and at heights above ground that they sample the peak densities of the vertical photo-electron distribution. The system design and its operational concepts are presented. Furthermore, the physical challenges, technical feasibility, and the promises such a system holds in view of providing new knowledge about the local lunar plasma environment are discussed.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationIAF Space Exploration Symposium 2021 - Held at the 72nd International Astronautical Congress, IAC 2021
PublisherInternational Astronautical Federation, IAF
ISBN (Electronic)9781713842965
StatePublished - 2021
EventIAF Space Exploration Symposium 2021 at the 72nd International Astronautical Congress, IAC 2021 - Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Duration: Oct 25 2021Oct 29 2021

Publication series

NameProceedings of the International Astronautical Congress, IAC
VolumeA3
ISSN (Print)0074-1795

Conference

ConferenceIAF Space Exploration Symposium 2021 at the 72nd International Astronautical Congress, IAC 2021
Country/TerritoryUnited Arab Emirates
CityDubai
Period10/25/2110/29/21

Keywords

  • Dust
  • Langmuir probes
  • Moon
  • Plasma sheath
  • Rover

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Aerospace Engineering
  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
  • Space and Planetary Science

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