Artemis program and broader Moon to Mars Bioastronautics Considerations for Instrument Selection in Lunar Permanently Shadowed Region Missions

This study evaluates the role of scientific instruments in supporting future human exploration of lunar permanently shadowed regions (PSRs) through a bioastronautics perspective. PSRs are believed to contain water ice and other volatile resources but present extreme environmental challenges that complicate human mission planning. The research analyzes a conceptual rover instrument suite which includes ground penetrating radar, a neutral gas mass spectrometer, a regolith drill, and environmental sensors. The author aims to determine how each contributes to reducing uncertainty in human survivability, resource accessibility, and operational safety. The results emphasize that instrument selection is not only a scientific decision, but also a critical factor in enabling safe and sustainable human presence on the Moon.