Follow the Water - Advanced neutron techniques for investigating Lunar water and preparing for sample return.

The project is focused on two main objectives: 1) to investigate the presence of volatiles, especially hydrogen, in lunar samples through the use of neutron techniques, and 2) to examine the impact of neutron radiation on (lunar) planetary analog samples to better prepare for the analysis of returned samples.

The results will deepen our understanding of the history of volatiles within the inner Solar System, have significant implications for the curation and analysis of samples from the Moon (and Mars), and pave the way for using large-scale neutron facilities such as the European Spallation Source (ESS) for such studies.

The recent launch of the NASA-led Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the lunar surface and bring back samples, highlights a renewed interest in the Moon.

Despite being our closest celestial neighbor, many scientific questions surrounding its origin and composition still remain unanswered.

The study of the Moon is also crucial from a resource perspective (e.g., water) for establishing a sustainable presence in space.

The project is planned for July 2023 to June 2026 and will be carried out by me, (Josefin Martell), in collaboration with researchers from Western University (CA) and the University of Oslo (NO).

The interdisciplinary nature of the project will also facilitate collaborations with scientists at e.g., the Institut Laue-Langevin (FR), thereby greatly expanding my professional network from planetary science into other relevant fields.