XRF Lunar Spectrometer: A world record for energy resolution

Portable X-Ray fluorescence spectrometers are paramount instruments for planetary science. Space instruments usually use radioisotopes sources. The only exception is the very last PIXL instrument sent on Mars by NASA. Because in space the weight and power consumption are critical parameters, we propose to use pyroelectric X-ray generator (PXG) as excitation source. The present work uses a PXG source and improves the detector resolution, measurement reproducibility and use peak selection algorithm to achieve better accuracy.

The targeted product is a miniature X-Ray Fluorescence spectrometer that is able to identify and quantify any atoms heavier than Ne. • The aim of this project is to improve TRL from 4 to 6~7 for a Belgian X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) Spectrometer instrument for the Moon.

No radioactive source (compared to NASA APXS, ESA Beagle 2), No X-Ray tube (compared to non-space competitor) • High spectral resolution, Low limits of detection, Automated auto calibration during measurement • Lightweight, low cost, low power requirements, short measurement time.

Next steps:

Improve TRL for FM (ESA moon mission , instrument ALEXIS: A Lunar Experiment of X-ray Induced Spectroscopy) • Investigate ISRU monitoring instrument • Possible handheld version for astronauts.