Dielectric Spectroscopy for Scientific and Resource Characterization of Lunar Regolith

Introduction: Dielectric spectroscopy (DS) can noninvasively detect electrical properties over a wide frequency range (1 mHz – 10 kHz) at depths ranging from 10s cm to 10s m. Electrical properties vary directly with density and mineralogy. Therefore, DS can determine the subsurface distribution of water ice, adsorbed water, ilmenite, and possibly Fe. Understanding the subsurface distribution of these minerals is an important first step for in-situ resource utilization. The presence and subsurface distribution of these minerals can also be used to address scientific questions such as if adsorbed water exists in the subsurface, ice and/or adsorbed water are the source of the enhancement in hydrogen near the poles, and to locate immature regolith that has trapped the composition of the ancient solar wind.