Preprint Article Version 1 Preserved in Portico This version is not peer-reviewed

High-Sensitivity Seismometer Development for Lunar Applications

Leandro De Paula
* ORCID logo ,
Ronald Norton
,
Ho Jung Paik
,
Nicholas Schmerr
,
Roger Williamson
,
Talso Chui
,
Hahn Inseob
Version 1 : Received: 15 July 2023 / Approved: 17 July 2023 / Online: 17 July 2023 (11:54:50 CEST)

A peer-reviewed article of this Preprint also exists.

de Paula, L.A.N.; Norton, R.S.; Paik, H.J.; Schmerr, N.C.; Williamson, P.R.; Chui, T.C.P.; Hahn, I. High-Sensitivity Seismometer Development for Lunar Applications. Sensors 2023, 23, 7245. de Paula, L.A.N.; Norton, R.S.; Paik, H.J.; Schmerr, N.C.; Williamson, P.R.; Chui, T.C.P.; Hahn, I. High-Sensitivity Seismometer Development for Lunar Applications. Sensors 2023, 23, 7245.

Abstract

Lunar seismology is a critical area of research, providing insights into the Moon's internal structure, composition, and thermal history, as well as informing the design of safe and resilient habitats for future human settlements. This paper presents the development of a state-of-the-art, three-axis broadband seismometer with a low frequency range of 0.001-1 Hz and a target sensitivity over an order of magnitude greater than previous Apollo-era instruments. The paper details the design, assembly, methodology and test results. We compare the acceleration noise of our prototype and commercial seismometers across all three axes. Increasing the test mass and reducing its natural frequency may further improve performance. These advancements in seismometer technology hold promise for enhancing our understanding of the Moon's and other celestial bodies' internal structures, and for informing the design of future landed missions to ocean worlds.

Keywords

lunar seismology; instrumentation; seismometer; planets; space

Subject

Physical Sciences, Astronomy and Astrophysics

Copyright: This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

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