SMART-1 and the Moon

SMART-1's science payload, with a total mass of some 15 Kg, features many innovative instruments and advanced technologies. These are:

- AMIE, a miniaturised HR camera for Lunar Surface imaging;
- SIR, a Near-Infrared Point-Spectrometer for Lunar mineralogy investigation;
- D-CIXS, a very compact X-ray Spectrometer with a new type of detector and micro-collimator which will provide fluorescence spectroscopy and imagery of the Moon's surface elemental composition;
- XSM, an X-ray monitor to support D-CIXS by providing measurements of solar X-ray emission for calibration:
- KaTE, an experiment aimed at demonstrating deep-space telemetry and telecommand communications in the X and Ka-bands;
- RSIS, a Radio-Science Experiment relying on KaTE. It monitors the electric propulsion by means of tracking techniques. In lunar orbit it will, with AMIE, also study the Moon's libration.