The Lunar Prospector Discovery Mission: mission and measurement description

Lunar Prospector, the first competitively selected planetary mission in NASA´s Discovery Program, is described with emphasis on the radiation spectrometer instrumentation and anticipated scientific data return. Scheduled to be launched in January 1998, the mission will conduct a one year orbital survey of the Moon´s composition and structure. The suite of five instruments are outlined: neutron spectrometer, alpha particle spectrometer, gamma-ray spectrometer, electron reflectometer and magnetometer. Scientific requirements and measurement approach to detect water/ice to a sensitivity of 50 ppm (hydrogen), measure key elemental constituents, detect radioactive gas release events and accurately map the Moon´s gravitational and magnetic fields are given. A brief overview of the programmatic accomplishments in meeting a tightly constrained schedule and budget is also provided