NASA’s Polar Resources Ice Mining Experiment-1 (PRIME-1) is set to launch on February 26, aboard the Intuitive Machines’ Athena lunar lander. The experiment aims to explore the Moon’s subsurface and analyze potential resources for future human missions.
Two key instruments will be used in tandem: TRIDENT, a rotary percussive drill that can excavate up to 1 meter deep, and MSOLO, a mass spectrometer that analyzes gas composition from collected samples. The experiment will provide valuable data on the Moon’s surface and subsurface resources, paving the way for sustainable human exploration under NASA’s Artemis campaign.
According to Jackie Quinn, PRIME-1 project manager, “The ability to drill and analyze samples at the same time allows us to gather insights that will shape the future of lunar resource utilization.” The experiment is one of several payloads aboard the next lunar delivery through NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative.
TRIDENT, developed by Honeybee Robotics, features carbide cutting teeth to penetrate tough lunar materials. The drill will extract samples up to 4 inches long, allowing scientists to analyze trapped and frozen gases at different depths. This data will help scientists understand the mechanical properties of the lunar South Pole soil and potential resources available for future missions.
The commercial off-the-shelf mass spectrometer, MSOLO, developed by INFICON, will analyze gas released from TRIDENT drilled samples, searching for water ice and other trapped gases. These measurements will provide insights into the Moon’s potential for resource utilization.
NASA is investing in commercial delivery services to the Moon through CLPS, enabling industry growth and supporting long-term lunar exploration. The PRIME-1 experiment was funded by NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate Game Changing Development program.
Source: https://www.nasa.gov/centers-and-facilities/kennedy/nasas-polar-ice-experiment-paves-way-for-future-moon-missions