Lateral and vertical variability of lunar regolith

Characterize the lateral and vertical variability of lunar regolith structure and thickness, particularly in regions surrounding lunar pits and lava tubes.

Background

Ground-penetrating-radar observations from previous lunar missions have provided high-resolution subsurface profiles, but signal artifacts and scattering have limited interpretation of fine-scale layering. Consequently, the spatial variability of regolith properties beyond the existing landing sites remains insufficiently constrained. The authors identify mobile, in situ GPR measurements around lunar pits as a means of addressing this unresolved problem.