The DALI24 projects are set to enhance NASA’s capabilities for developing instruments for future lunar missions, including the Commercial Lunar Payload Services program and the Artemis campaign. The primary goal of DALI is to create and showcase instruments that can be utilized in upcoming NASA flight opportunities, ensuring that they are ready for flight hardware production within three years. Each selected scientist receives about $1 million annually for their instrument development.
DALI is part of a broader initiative funded by the Exploration Science Strategy Integration Office, which strives to integrate scientific endeavors with lunar exploration across various NASA divisions, other agencies, international partnerships, and commercial sectors.
Featured Scientists and Projects:
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Erwan Mazarico (NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland)
- Developing the Swath-Mapping Lidar for Exploration and Science (SMiLES), a superior laser altimeter designed for efficient and flexible surface data collection.
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Nurul Abedin (NASA’s Langley Research Center, Hampton, Virginia)
- Working on the In-situ and Remote Characterization of Lunar Surface Using Standoff micro-Raman (SUCR) Sensor, which identifies various lunar geological materials in a compact device.
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James Lambert (NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Southern California)
- Creating LUSTRA, the Lunar Spectroscopic Tool for Raman Analysis, to analyze lunar regolith and volatiles, contributing to multiple lunar science investigations.
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Ryan McCormick (NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Southern California)
- Developing a sample acquisition system for lunar missions, designed to collect and return diverse lunar samples and regolith fines efficiently.
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Evan Eshelman (Honeybee Robotics, a Blue Origin Company, Altadena, California)
- Focusing on the Lunar Weather Array, a lidar system aimed at studying the lunar dust environment to support safe operations for future human and robotic missions.
Conclusion
These innovative projects are crucial in advancing our understanding of the Moon and preparing for sustained lunar exploration. NASA continues to drive its exploration goals by integrating science and technology through initiatives like DALI.
