Lockheed Martin Delivers Neutron Spectrometer

Humanity is headed back to the Moon - and eventually to Mars. A Lockheed Martin instrument - roughly the size of a desktop printer - will help future missions locate and characterize near-surface materials that could be critical to sustaining a human presence when we get there.

Lockheed Martin's Neutron Spectrometer System (NSS) is an instrument designed in partnership with NASA to detect water ice on planetary bodies, measuring cosmic ray interactions with hydrates in lunar or planetary regolith. By detecting the products of these interactions, the instrument can map out water deposits on space bodies.

These water deposits will be key to future human settlements on the Moon and Mars, used to grow food, fuel habitats and rovers, and provide for other basic needs.

For the upcoming Lunar Polar Exploration (LUPEX) mission, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) is developing the rover that will carry the neutron spectrometer, while Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) is responsible for developing the lunar lander that will transport the rover to the Moon. This collaboration leverages the expertise of both agencies to maximize the mission's scientific capabilities.

Last year, Lockheed Martin delivered a NSS instrument to NASA's Ames Research Center in California's Silicon Valley for use on JAXA's and ISRO's joint LUPEX mission. The LUPEX mission will send an uncrewed lunar lander and rover to the Moon in 2028 to explore the South Pole, searching for water and other resources.

Behind the Scenes: Manufacturing the NSS

To date, Lockheed Martin has delivered five NSS instruments for various lunar missions. This spectrometer can also be deployed beyond the Moon to planets, asteroids and other space bodies.

The instruments are produced exclusively at Lockheed Martin's Advanced Technology Center (ATC) in Palo Alto, California, with a fast production timeline of approximately 12 months per unit. As the Lockheed Martin team has matured the design, versions have been built using a "build-to-print" approach - building a copy of a previous version - which allows for cost savings and schedule efficiency. This streamlined process enables Lockheed Martin to meet the growing demand for these critical instruments.

One of the five NSS instruments Lockheed Martin has delivered for various missions. Image credit: Lockheed Martin

A Leader in the Field: Lockheed Martin's Unique Position

Lockheed Martin stands out as the only public U.S. company that has fielded neutron spectrometers for lunar applications. With a 60-year heritage in particle detector development, the company brings unparalleled expertise and is using it to develop new applications, including a smaller, lighter version for use on smaller missions.