NASA grant helps WashU scientists develop tech for lunar research
Some of the technology for upcoming U.S. missions to the moon is being developed right here in St. Louis. A scientist working on one of those projects joined KMOX’s Total Information A.M. to discuss it. Jeffrey Gillis-Davis, Research Professor of Physics at Washington University, is leading a team of scientists developing a shoebox size instrument to measure the chemistry of rock and soil on the moon. The device will use a laser to create a plasma, which emits unique energy, allowing it to measure elements' composition. The prototype is being funded through a $3-million grant from NASA. Work will require an extremely durable device and is small enough to fit on a rover.
Published : 2 months ago by Total Information A M in Science
ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - Some of the technology for upcoming U.S. missions to the moon is being developed right here in St. Louis.
Jeffrey Gillis-Davis, Research Professor of Physics at Washington University is part of the team crafting a shoebox size instrument to measure the chemistry of rock and soil on the moon.
Gillis-Davis explained on KMOX's Total Information A.M. how the device will use a laser to create a plasma.
"As that plasma cool's down, elements emit photons of unique energy," said Gillis-Davis. "We can measure those energies and know the chemistry of those rocks, soils and even ices that are on the moon."
He says because temperatures can fluctuate wildly, the device will have to be extremely durable and the device has to be small enough to fit on a rover.
"The thermal regime can be pretty harsh," said Gillis-Davis. "The temperature can range from 133 degrees Celsius to -80 degree Celsius in a matter of moments, so you have to make it thermally hard."
Work on the prototype is being funded through a $3-million grant from NASA.
Topics: Space, NASA