Visible‐Shortwave Infrared (VSWIR) Spectral Parameters for the Lunar Trailblazer High‐Resolution Volatiles and Minerals Moon Mapper (HVM; 3; )
Journal Article
Overview
abstract
Abstract; ; The Lunar Trailblazer smallsat mission High‐resolution Volatiles and Minerals Moon Mapper (HVM; 3; ) science instrument was designed to acquire targeted spectral image cubes of the lunar surface at visible to shortwave infrared (VSWIR) wavelengths (0.6–3.6 μm) in an effort to understand the distribution, abundance, and form (OH, H; 2; O, ice) of lunar water, as well as the lunar water cycle. The Lunar Trailblazer mission end was declared in July 2025. Here, we describe the formulation and testing of VSWIR spectral parameters in preparation for previously anticipated returned data from HVM; 3; using global image cubes and mosaic data from the Moon Mineralogy Mapper (M; 3; ) imaging spectrometer, HVM; 3; 's predecessor, and the Deep Impact spacecraft. We expand upon the existing M; 3; global spectral parameter library, test the efficacy of presented parameters individually and alongside existing M; 3; spectral parameters, provide examples of quantitative thresholds intended to indicate robust mineral detections, and discuss the spectral parameter limitations. We demonstrate that newly formulated and existing parameters capture lunar mineral diversity well and serve as a reliable indicator of lunar surface hydration, making them useful for existing and future scientific analysis using lunar orbital remote sensing data sets.;
