116-7 Lunar Sensor Network and Community Science with the Great Lunar Expedition For Everyone

Session: Lunar Science and Exploration in the Artemis Era (Posters)

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Understanding the properties of the lunar surface is crucial for planning future missions, and this can be achieved through the deployment of a sensor network. The GLEE (Great Lunar Expedition for Everyone) mission will deploy an array of solar-powered, small sensing boards, called LunaSats, for lunar surface characterization. Each LunaSat will autonomously collect and transmit thermal, magnetic, acceleration, and regolith characterization data using a radio mesh network to the deployment base station. The LunaSat Sensor Network (LSN) will demonstrate avionics operation in the extreme lunar environment and efficient power and data transfer in dusty environments. The LunaSats, built using open-source architecture and off the shelf sensors, will allow for the investigation of magnetic anomalies, micrometeorite impacts, and physical properties of the lunar regolith. The LunaSat approach complements those of instruments that are typically flown, lowers cost, shortens development times, and allows a broad range of sensor types to be included in a single payload, albeit at lower sensitivity.  

GLEE is finalizing the lunar version of the LunaSat and deployment module, testing it in lunar analog environments, including near-space exposure. During the testing phase, the LSN can be used to help characterize properties of lunar regolith simulant. GLEE testing will simulate a rover deployment on the lunar surface in a regolith testbed environment. In addition, the LunaSat deployment method and data transmission sequence will be tested on a sounding rocket mission.

LunaSats can be applied to Artemis Science Goals. As an example, we intend to use LunaSat accelerometers to fill data gaps in the low mass micrometeorite impact rate to better understanding the mechanisms that drive regolith evolution. This data will be made publicly available on a dashboard, allowing for broader access and future scientific analysis, and offering even greater opportunities for community-driven research.

GLEE is a student-led mission, designed and run by Colorado Space Grant students. Through this project, students are gaining hands-on experience in project management, systems engineering, hardware and software development, and community engagement. During the Lunar phase, we have developed new workshop modules for student teams to understand mission design and proposal writing. This mission has and will continue to engage thousands of high school and higher education students, along with faculty from around the world, in lunar science exploration.

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 57, No. 6, 2025

doi: 10.1130/abs/2025AM-10023

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