Advancing Lunar Materials Characterization: New NASA Technologies for Sensing, Analysis, and Exploration

When: Tue, 10/20/2026 at 2:00 PM (Eastern Time)

Explore three NASA technologies that advance lunar materials characterization and open new opportunities for sensing, analysis, and resource assessment in future exploration missions.

In this technology showcase, you’ll learn about a suite of sensing and characterization capabilities emerging from NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center:

Dielectric and magnetic property measurement of lunar materials (GSC‑TOPS‑371)
A waveguide‑based system that accurately measures dielectric permittivity and magnetic permeability in irregular planetary samples. By using scattering‑parameter measurements and computational modeling, it enables non‑destructive characterization without altering precious lunar or planetary materials.

Terahertz sensing technologies for lunar volatile detection
Compact, high‑sensitivity terahertz components — including wideband subharmonic mixers and high‑frequency receiver arrays — engineered for detecting water and other volatile species within planetary regolith. Related project work demonstrates the use of THz spectrometry to analyze volatiles released from lunar materials for ISRU‑focused exploration.

Nanomaterial‑based sensing platforms for lunar materials characterization
A multi‑functional sensor platform that integrates gas, pressure, and temperature sensing directly onto a single chip using printed nanomaterials and 3D‑patterned nanostructures. This design enables compact, high‑sensitivity environmental measurements suited for planetary surface applications.

Join us to hear directly from the innovators and learn how to license these emerging technologies.