Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy Payload Design for Lunar Resource Detection

A laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy system uses a laser to turn a sample into plasma composed of ionized matter. The specified wavelength emitted from the plasma can be detected using emission spectroscopy, and data can be collected specifying the type of material and concentration. Helium-3 found within the lunar regolith has the potential to be a fuel source used in fusion energy and is, therefore, an economic factor that could lead humanity one step closer to becoming a true space-faring civilization. Understanding the quantity and scale of these Helium-3 deposits would be beneficial knowledge for use in powering future lunar colonies and industries. A satellite-based laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy system, flying close to the lunar surface in a highly elliptical orbit, could be used to detect such pockets of Helium-3 and could be applied to any number of other elements