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May 9, 2026Earth and Space Science3 citationsOpen Access

Calibration and Performance of the High Resolution Volatiles and Minerals Moon Mapper (HVM 3 ) on Lunar Trailblazer

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DTDavid R. ThompsonBEBethany L. EhlmannRGRobert O. Green

Key Points

  • The study aims to evaluate the calibration and performance of the High-Resolution Volatiles and Minerals Moon Mapper for the Lunar Trailblazer mission.
  • Integrated calibration and testing of the HVM^3 spectrometer on the Lunar Trailblazer spacecraft.
  • Measurement of spectral data from 600 to 3,600 nm with 10-nm sampling and 50–90 m/pixel ground sampling.
  • Evaluation of radiometric sensitivity and precision in detecting volatile absorptions under various lighting conditions.
  • The HVM^3 achieves sufficient radiometric sensitivity to detect 1% differences in absorption band strengths under direct solar illumination.
  • It can discriminate different volatile species at irradiances of 1 W, allowing for mapping of water ice in Permanently Shadowed Regions.
  • Calibration process indicates readiness for launch and integration within Lunar Trailblazer's science goals.

Abstract

Abstract This article reports on the initial calibration and performance of the High‐resolution Volatiles and Minerals Moon Mapper (), slated for launch on the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Lunar Trailblazer mission. is an imaging spectrometer measuring from 600 to 3,600 nm with 10‐nm spectral sampling and 50–90 m/pixel ground sampling. The mission goal is to understand the form, abundance, and distribution of water across the lunar surface and the lunar water cycle, accomplished by measuring the distinct absorptions of water ice, adsorbed O, and OH/hydroxl while controlling for thermal effects with . also has the ability to measure mineralogical composition. has been assembled, tested and calibrated in preparation for launch and integrated on the Lunar Trailblazer spacecraft. We review the design, calibration process, results, and implications for Lunar Trailblazer science goals. We find ’s radiometric sensitivity is sufficient to confidently measure 1% differences in absorption band strengths under direct solar illumination in single pixel data. In addition, has the radiometric precision to discriminate different species of volatile absorptions at irradiances of 1 W , which will enable mapping and discriminating water ice or other volatiles within most of the Moon's Permanently Shadowed Regions using terrain‐scattered illumination.

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Cite This Study

Thompson et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/69fece1db9154b0b82875bdahttps://doi.org/10.1029/2025ea004456
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