This research, on the other hand, will develop a new forward model for microwave emissions from the lunar surface based on the dense media radiative transfer theory which takes many of the…

This is a $78,541.41 research grant awarded by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to The Research Foundation for the State University of New York (RF-SUNY), operating as RF-SUNY at the University at Albany. The grant, with an ultimate completion date of November 24, 2022, will develop a new forward model for microwave emissions from the lunar surface based on dense media radiative transfer theory. This will enable the simultaneous estimation of several thermal and physical properties of the lunar regolith using data from China's Chang'E-1 and Chang'E-2 lunar satellites. The research results will be validated using auxiliary data from the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter and Apollo mission in-situ measurements. This grant does not have a set-aside designation.

This research, on the other hand, will develop a new forward model for microwave emissions from the lunar surface based on the dense media radiative transfer theory which takes many of the aforementioned factors into account by leveraging extensive studies conducted by earth scientists and engineers (including the PI) for remote sensing of earth's ICE sheets. Then, a numerical retrieval algorithm will be developed to simultaneously estimate several thermal and physical properties of lunar regolith at different depths using the chang e-1 and chang e-2 measurements. Finally, the results will be constrained using auxiliary data from other lunar instruments, e.g., lunar reconnaissance orbiter, and validated by utilizing in-situ data collected during the apollo missions. A three-year research plan is proposed. In the first year, analyses of chang e 1-2 satellite data and the development of the forward emission model will be completed. The second and third years will include building the retrieval algorithm with proper constraints. Validation of the research results, and uncertainty analyses will be performed in the third year.