Luvmi and luvmi-x: lunar volatiles mobile instrumentation concept and extension

By making use of an innovative, low mass, mobile robotic payload following the Lunar Exploration Advisory Group (LEAG) recommendations, many of the international science community’s objectives can be met at lower cost. As a main objective LUVMI was designed specifically for operations at the South Pole of the Moon with a payload accommodated by an innovative lightweight rover with a range of several kilometres. Over the past two years, the key LUVMI scientific instruments – a Volatiles Analyser (VA) and a Volatiles Sampler (VS), were successfully developed and validated (up to TRL 5-6), and new light field cameras were experimented. They were integrated onto a ground prototype of a purposely developed LUVMI rover and tested altogether in a series of outdoor trials, in rocky and sandy environments. Based on these successful results, the recently started LUVMI-X project shall extend the LUVMI rover’s capabilities to enable more comprehensive scientific investigations. Its suite of science instruments will be upgraded and extended, and a flexible and innovative payload infrastructure will create the foundation for commercial payload services.