Lunar Regolith Penetrating Radar on the Lander for Chang'E-5 Mission

Abstract

Lunar Regolith Penetrating Radar (LRPR) is one payload of Lander for Chang'E-5. LRPR's scientific missions are: (1) providing information support for drill and sampling device; (2) sounding lunar regolith thickness and structure below the Lander area, which is covered by radar's antenna. In order to obtain detection data effectively, it is necessary to overcome the problem that the Lander cannot move. The LRPR uses an electric scanning method to traverse 12 antennas instead of the traditional detection mode. With the method, LRPR requires only one receiver and transmitter, thereby can effectively reduce weight and power consumption. LRPR is a time domain carrier-free pulse radar, which is compose of antenna array, electronic box and RF cable. It is shown that task requirements are met by confirmatory test of simulation Lunar Regolith on the round.