Non-Destructive Evaluation
X-Ray + Ultrasonic + Eddy-Current NDE
The non-destructive evaluation system is an 80 kg inspection suite comprising an X-ray computed tomography tube and detector, piezoelectric ultrasonic transducers, and eddy-current coils to identify internal voids, weld flaws, and surface cracks down to 50 µm. Drawing 500 W of power, the hardware verifies additively manufactured components and structural joints through robotic, machine-learning-augmented scanning protocols. Lunar deployment complicates operational durability, as unshielded radiation accelerates X-ray tube aging and sensor degradation, challenging the system's required 15-year lifetime and 30,000-hour mean time between failures without direct human maintenance.
Non-destructive evaluation including X-ray CT, ultrasonic, and eddy-current inspection for internal defect detection.
Purpose
Non-destructive evaluation including X-ray CT, ultrasonic, and eddy-current inspection for internal defect detection.
Context
Child of L2-MFG-QC within the Lunar Ark system
Principles
- ▸X-ray CT for internal voids/cracks (AM parts critical)
- ▸Ultrasonic for weld inspection
- ▸Eddy-current for surface cracks in conductive materials
- ▸Coordinated with L3-MFG-QC-MAT for materials verification
- ▸Long-mission validation of AM part quality
Typical implementations
- ▸Aerospace NDE standards (NAS 410)
- ▸Industrial X-ray CT (terrestrial)
- ▸AM NDE methodology
Lunar considerations
- ▸X-ray tube longevity vs aging in radiation
- ▸Robotic-operated inspection
- ▸ML-augmented defect classification
Specifications
Functional
| primary function | Non-destructive evaluation including X-ray CT, ultrasonic, and eddy-current inspection for internal defect detection. |
| void detection um | 50 |
Physical
| mass kg | 80 |
| materials | X-ray tube + detector, Piezoelectric UT transducer, Eddy-current coil |
| vacuum compatibility | True |
Operational
| power consumption w | 500 |
| thermal range c | -40, 70 |
| lifetime years | 15 |
| mtbf hours | 30000 |
Interfaces
Provides
- NDE inspection results
Requires
- X-ray + UT (~500 W)
Cite this entry
Lunar Ark Codex. "Non-Destructive Evaluation" (L3-MFG-QC-NDE). Retrieved 10 September 2026, from https://lunarark.com/entry/L3-MFG-QC-NDE
Licensed CC-BY-SA 4.0. You may reuse and adapt this entry with attribution, under the same licence.