LUMETIS, in partnership with the CNES (French Space Agency), is developing and designing a portable scientific imaging device to support astronauts in future geological operations.
The geological assistant Geoassist is a highly selective device enabling easy on-site screening and selection of samples of interest. It will also allow the astronauts to obtain rapid and rich contextual information about the sample collection site.
The spatialization study of the instrument, conducted in partnership with COMAT, confirms that the instrument concept can be adapted for geological applications on the Moon. Based on the proposed CNES timeline, a flight model could be ready for operation in 2028.
The instrument will undergo two additional development phases to expand its detection range to 1700nm and then 2500nm.
