[P-EM10] Space Weather and Space Climate

[PEM10-18] The Deep Space Radiation Probe: Development and First Results from a First Lunar Science Payload for Space Environment Studies and Capacity Building

*Loren Chang¹, Yi-Hsuan Chou¹, Chieh Lung¹, Tzu-Wei Hung¹, Shih-Pin Lee¹, Yu-Hsiu Tien¹, I Chen¹, Yi-Chung Chiu¹, Jann-Yenq Liu¹, Tung-Yuan Hsiao² (1.Department of Space Science and Engineering, National Central University, 2.Institute of Nuclear Engineering and Science, National Tsing Hua University, Taiwan)

Keywords:lunar payload, ionizing radiation, single event effects, deep space

Regions outside of Low Earth Orbit (LEO, altitudes above approximately 1000 km) are classified as “deep space”, including Medium Earth Orbit (MEO), geostationary orbit (GEO), as well as cislunar and lunar space. The deep space environment poses many challenges for human and robotic exploration, including stronger ionizing radiation fluxes, more extreme temperature variations, as well as limited data downlink volume. With the growth of the rideshare and hosted payload model aboard government and commercial lunar missions, developing the capacity to design and implement payloads and other space avionics for this environment is of increased importance this decade. Utilizing one of the growing number of rideshare opportunities offered by commercial lunar mission providers, National Central University (NCU) has completed the rapid development of Taiwan’s first scientific payload for lunar lander use, which was launched aboard the Hakuto-R Mission 2 (M2) lander from ispace, inc. on Janaury 15, 2025, immediately commencing operations following post launch checkout. This Deep Space Radiation Probe (DSRP) is providing measurements of radiation dose, dose rate, and single event upset (SEU) rate during two and a half lunar swing by orbits, the low energy lunar transfer transit, in lunar orbit, as well as on the lunar surface. DSRP was developed by a student team, in consultation with experienced engineers from the lunar lander team. We will report on the objectives, concept of operation, design, implementation, and first results of the DSRP project. We will also describe the steps taken to facilitate parallel development of the DSRP payload and the Hakuto-R M2 lander, as well as lessons learned during the design, implementation, qualification, and operation process. The radiation data provided by DSRP will be beneficial for the development of future deep space spacecraft avionics, as well as crewed missions, and will also serve to build the capacity for deep space spacecraft and payload development at NCU. The payload itself is also being modified for future missions based on lessons learned from the Hakuto-R M2 flight.