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Author: Michael Quin, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology

A tiny device that scans deep underground is being developed to identify ice deposits and hollow lava tubes on the moon in search of possible human settlements.

The prototype device, called MAPrad, is only one-tenth the size of an existing ground penetrating radar system, but it can be seen almost twice as deep as underground—more than 100 meters—to identify voids such as minerals, ice deposits, or lava Tube.

Local start-up CD3D PTY Limited has now received funding from the Australian Space Agency’s Moon Landing Program to further develop prototypes with RMIT University, including testing it by drawing one of the largest accessible lava tube systems on the planet.

CD3D CEO and RMIT Honorary Professor James Macnae said that their unique geophysical sensors have multiple advantages over existing technologies, making them more suitable for space missions.

"Compared with the existing ground penetrating radar equipment, MAPrad is smaller and lighter, and consumes less power, but it can be seen hundreds of meters below the surface, and its depth is about twice that of the existing technology," Macnae said .

"It is able to achieve this improved performance, even after shrinking to a handheld size, because it operates in a different frequency range: it uses the magnetic component of electromagnetic waves instead of the electrical component."

The magnetic waves emitted and detected by the device measure conductivity and electromagnetic wave reflections to identify things underground. Voids and water ice provide strong reflections, while various metal deposits have a unique level of high conductivity.

From mining to mission to the moon

The dedicated radar system was developed by RMIT University and the Canadian company International Groundradar Consulting in a collaborative research project funded by the AMIRA global network.

Since then, Australia and Canada have conducted successful field tests using the backpack prototype for mining and mineral exploration.

Macnae said: "The initial development of MAPrad was specifically focused on facilitating drone surveys for mining applications, but it has obvious applications in spaces where size and weight are very important, so this is where we are now focusing."

In order to further prove the utility of the technology for a series of lunar missions, the researchers will seek permission to scan the world's largest lava tube system in the spectacular Undara Cave in Australia's Far North Queensland.

Undara is an indigenous word meaning "long road" and refers to an unusually long lava tube system located in the park. The diameter of the pipe can be up to 20 meters, and some pipes are hundreds of meters long.

RMIT University engineer Dr. Graham Dorrington said that they will travel through the park above the cave to explore the voids below, some of which have not been fully drawn.

"We know the size of the supervisor, so it should be possible to compare with surface scans to check accuracy," he said.

"Undara will be a good test site for us because it is the closest place on Earth to lava tubes that are believed to exist on the Moon and Mars."

Find water and shelter in space

Huge tunnels left by ancient volcanic lava flows may exist in shallow layers below the surface of the moon and Mars.

It is thought that these shells may be suitable for building space colonies because they can prevent frequent meteorite impacts, high-energy ultraviolet radiation and high-energy particles on the moon, not to mention extreme temperatures.

For example, on the surface of the moon, the temperature during the day is usually much higher than 100 degrees Celsius, and will drop sharply below -150 degrees Celsius at night, and insulated tunnels can provide a stable environment of about -22 degrees Celsius.

But the more pressing issue is to map the icy water deposits on the moon and to have a clearer understanding of the resources available there to support life.

Dorrington stated that their system can be installed on a space rover or even connected to a low-orbit spacecraft to monitor minerals in recent missions and lava tubes in future missions.

"After the lava tube test later this year, the next step will be to optimize the equipment so as not to interfere with or interact with the metal parts of any space rover or spacecraft, or cause incompatible electromagnetic interference to communications or other instruments," Dorrington said.

"It will be a major technical challenge for us to qualify MAPrad for space use, especially on the moon, but we don't expect any obstacles."

The team will take advantage of the unique capabilities of RMIT's micro and nano research facilities and advanced manufacturing areas, and hope to collaborate with spacecraft integration experts or organizations with payload availability in the later development phase. Further exploration Scientists put on spacesuits to explore Hawaiian lava tubes, just like on Mars org/news/2021-07-mini-radar-scan-moon-habitable.html This document is protected by copyright. Except for any fair transaction for private learning or research purposes, no part may be copied without written permission. The content is for reference only.

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