NASA has selected two new instruments DUSTER and SPSS for the Artemis IV mission to study the Moon’s south polar region.

DUSTER will analyze lunar dust and plasma using an autonomous rover, while SPSS will measure seismic activity to map the

Moon’s interior.

New Delhi: NASA has selected two advanced science instruments to be launched on the Artemis IV mission, and this move is

one significant step in further exploring the South Polar region of the Moon. The instruments will assist scientists to

improve the knowledge of the lunar environment and assist the future missions to Mars. The choice highlights the fact

that NASA is concerned with the collection of essential information that will be able to secure astronauts and

spacecraft that will be functioning far out in space.

The instruments will examine dust of the moon, plasma, and earthquakes. This study relies on the experience of the

Apollo missions, where the abrasive lunar dust was reported to have impacted the equipment and visibility of the

astronauts. NASA seeks to establish a safer and more sustainable way to explore the Moon for long durations by creating

new instruments to monitor dust and plasma and the internal structure of the Moon.

DUSTER to examine lunar dust and plasma

The first instrument package, which is named DUSTER (Dust and Plasma Environment Surveyor), will examine the dynamics of

dust around the landing point. The system will contain charge, speed, size, and movement of dust particles, which it

will measure in accordance with the size of a small autonomous rover. It will also observe the density of electrons

beyond the surface of the moon. By supplying the rover Lunar Outpost, the natural lunar environment will be unveiled in

terms of impacts of human activity. Xu Wang of the University of Colorado Boulder is the project head under a contract

of 24.8 million dollars.

SPSS to Probe the Moon’s interior

The second tool is the South Pole Seismic Station (SPSS), which will examine the interior structure of the Moon. It will

monitor the meteorite hit, seismic shaking, and movement on the ground which might affect the activities of the

astronauts. An active-source test will also be performed by the crews where a device will produce seismic waves in order

to map shallow layers of the subsurface. Mark Panning of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory has won a project of SPSS with

funding of $25 million in three years.

Next steps for Artemis IV

NASA stressed the fact that these instruments are based on priorities in science identified by the agency and the

scientific world at large. They will be chosen to be developed, but the ultimate choices of which payloads will be

launched to space on Artemis IV will be determined later. The Artemis programme is meant to open up new scientific

discoveries, industry on the Moon in the future, and prepare human missions to the Moon.