Miniature ground penetrating radar, CRUX GPR

Under NASA instrument development programs (PIDDP 2000-2002, MIDP 2003-2005, ESR&T, 2005), we have been developing miniature ground penetrating radars (GPR) for use in mapping subsurface stratigraphy from planetary rovers for Mars and lunar applications. The Mars GPR is for deeper penetration (up to 50-m depth) into the Martian subsurface at moderate resolution (1.5 m) for a geological characterization. As a part of the CRUX (construction & resource utilization explorer) instrument suite, the CRUX GPR is optimized for a lunar prospecting application. It will have shallower penetration (5-m depth) with higher resolution (15 cm) for construction operations including ISRU (in-situ resource utilization). The GPR is a short-pulse type system, which responds to interfaces between materials of differing dielectric permittivity. Currently, the CRUX GPR (technology readiness level 4) has miniaturized radar electronics (2 boards, 10 cm times 5 cm times 2 cm, 1 W power, total 45 g), with 2 batteries (9 V, 2 times 45 g) operating at 800-MHz center frequency. Field testing of the prototype has been conducted extensively. When deployed for lunar missions, the CRUX GPR data will help prospecting possible construction sites