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Spectrometer Data Acquisition and Operation
Lunar Flashlight's lasers are each shot in sequence for 1 ms, with a blank laser fire at the end for data calibration. Each of the sequences are called a spot. Many spots are added together to achieve a 1000-2000 signal-to-noise ratio. This provides the necessary 3-sigma difference between dry regolith and exposed water ice measurements, with a sensitivity to ~0.2-0.3 wt% .
Lunar Flashlight's optimal orbit is highly elliptical and roughly 5-7 days long, providing Lunar Flashlight many opportunities to fly across the South Pole and conduct measurements of the lunar PSRs. The long orbit allows for additional monitoring and preparation that is needed for such a novel mission to succeed.
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