List of Experiments
| Name | Diagram | Description |
| Active Seismic Experiment (ASE) | Through the use of seismology the internal structure of the Moon could be determined to several hundred feet underground. The ASE consisted of three major components. A set of three geophones was laid out in a line by an astronaut from the Central Station to detect the explosions. A mortar package was designed to lob a set of four explosives from varying distances away from the ALSEP. Finally, an astronaut-activated Thumper was used to detonate one of 22 charges to create a small shock. The diagram shows the Thumper device. | |
| Charged Particle Lunar Environment Experiment (CPLEE) | The CPLEE was designed to measure the fluxes of charged particles such as electrons and ions. | |
| Cold Cathode Gauge Experiment (CCGE) | The CCGE was essentially a stand-alone version of the CCIG. | |
| Cold Cathode Ion Gauge (CCIG) | The CCIG experiment was designed to measure the pressure of the Lunar atmosphere. It was originally designed to be part of the SIDE, but its strong magnetic field would have caused interference. The CCIG is on the right of the SIDE in the diagram. | |
| Heat Flow Experiment (HFE) | The HFE was designed to make thermal measurements of the Lunar subsurface in order to determine the rate at which heat flows out of the interior. The measurements could help determine the abundance of radioisotopes and help understand the thermal evolution of the Moon. The HFE consisted of an electronics box and two probes. Each probe was placed in a hole by an astronaut that was drilled to about 2.5 m deep. | |
| Laser Ranging Retroreflector (LRRR) |
By reflecting a laser shot from Earth off one of LRRRs, the distance to the Moon could be accurately determined. The information could be used to study Lunar recession due to tidal dissipation and the irregular motion of the Earth. The LRRRs are the only experiments still in use today. The above diagram shows the Apollo 11 version. Apollo 14's was similar to Apollo 11's. The lower diagram shows the larger Apollo 15 version. |
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| Lunar Atmosphere Composition Experiment (LACE) | The LACE was designed to detect the composition of the Lunar atmosphere. | |
| Lunar Ejecta and Meteorites Experiment (LEAM) | The LEAM was designed to detect secondary particles that had been ejected by meteorite impacts on the lunar surface and to detect primary micrometeorites themselves. See Lunar soil for some experiment results. | |
| Lunar Seismic Profiling Experiment (LSPE) | The LSPE was similar to the ASE except the expected depth was to be several kilometers. It consisted of three major components. A set of four geophones was laid out near the ALSEP by an astronaut. The LSPE antenna was used to send signals to the charges. There were eight charges, each consisting of various sizes ranging from 1/8 to 6 lbs. The charges were deployed during the rover traverses. | |
| Lunar Surface Gravimeter (LSG) | The LSG was designed to make very accurate measurements of lunar gravity and its change over time. It was hoped the data could be used to prove the existence of gravitational waves. | |
| Lunar Surface Magnetometer (LSM) | The LSM was designed to measure the Lunar magnetic field. The data could be used to determine electrical properties of the subsurface. It was also used to study the interaction of solar plasma and the Lunar surface. | |
| Passive Seismic Experiment (PSE) | The PSE was designed to detect "moonquakes," either naturally or artificially created, to help study the structure of the subsurface. | |
| Passive Seismic Experiment Package (PSEP) | Similar to the PSE, except it was self-supporting. This meant it carried its own power source (solar arrays), electronics, and communications equipment. In addition, the PSEP also carried a Dust Detector. | |
| Solar Wind Spectrometer Experiment (SWS) | The SWS was designed to study solar wind properties and its effects on the Lunar environment. | |
| Suprathermal Ion Detector Experiment (SIDE) | The SIDE was designed to measure various properties of positive ions in the Lunar environment, provide data on the plasma interaction between solar wind and the Moon, and to determine the electrical potential of the Lunar surface. |
Read more about this topic: Apollo Lunar Surface Experiments Package
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