The Lunar Vehicle RAdiation Dosimeters (LVRAD) is a suite of four
radiation detectors designed to quantify the radiation environment
on the lunar surface and assess its potential impacts on biology
in preparation for future human-related activities on the Moon.
The Particle Dosimeter and Spectrometer (PDS) and the
Tissue-Equivalent Dosimeter (TED) will be used to measure the
radiation energy. The Epithermal Neutron Spectrometer (NS-E) will
measure epithermal neutrons emanating from the surface, which may
be evidence of subsurface water. The Fast Neutron Spectrometer
(NS-F) will measure fast neutrons, which are less frequent but
have a greater impact on biological systems. It will also provide
gamma spectroscopy, which will be utilized to investigate the
radioisotopes present on the lunar surface.
Attributed
to the heritages of LEO-DOS (Low Earth Orbit Radiation DOSimeter)
of Korea Next Generation Small Satellite 2 (NEXTSat-2).
TED (left), PDS (right) (Credit: KASI/SNU)
NS-F 3D model (Credit: KASI/SNU)
NS-E (3D model) (Credit: KASI/SNU)