L-CIRiS

L-CIRiS is an innovative, low-cost heat-sensing camera that will measure temperatures and the composition of the lunar surface. The camera is designed to accurately measure the wide range of temperatures encountered at the lunar poles, from -170°C (-280°F) to +100°C (212°F). Water ice may exist at the poles of the Moon, but only in the coldest shadows, and L-CIRiS will help to identify these potential cold traps. Other science objectives of L-CIRiS include mapping the mineral composition and physical properties of the lunar surface at high spatial resolution (< 1 cm/pixel) to understand the Moon’s formation and geologic evolution.

Selected for flight as part of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program, L-CIRiS is anticipated to be deployed on the Moon in late 2027 on the CP-22 mission. The lander for CP-22 will be provided by Intuitive Machines. The L-CIRiS instrument was developed by BAE Systems in Boulder, Colorado. LASP, which manages the overall project for NASA, will lead the science, mission operations, and data delivery for the L-CIRiS investigation. LASP researcher Dr. Paul Hayne is the instrument principal investigator, and Heather Reed is the L-CIRiS program manager.