Seismic Accelerometer
Triaxial Broadband Seismic Accelerometer Array
The triaxial broadband seismic accelerometer array is a sealed, five-kilogram instrument package that detects ground vibrations from meteoroid impacts and moonquakes. Derived from Apollo seismic equipment and the Mars InSight SEIS instrument, the system combines broadband and short-period sensors covering a 0.01 to 30 Hz frequency spectrum with a resolution of 10^-10 m/s². Because surface temperature fluctuations induce severe thermal noise that degrades seismic data, the five-watt unit requires burial directly within the lunar regolith, ensuring the structural and measurement stability needed to achieve a 25-year operational lifespan.
Triaxial broadband seismic accelerometer array per Apollo ALSEP / Mars InSight SEIS heritage, detecting moonquakes and meteoroid impacts.
Purpose
Triaxial broadband seismic accelerometer array per Apollo ALSEP / Mars InSight SEIS heritage, detecting moonquakes and meteoroid impacts.
Context
Child of L2-SSM-SEIS within the Lunar Ark system
Principles
- ▸Triaxial broadband accelerometer per Mars InSight SEIS
- ▸Frequency range 0.01-10 Hz (long-period) + 0.1-30 Hz (short-period)
- ▸Resolution ~10^-10 m/s² (per SEIS heritage)
- ▸Buried installation in regolith to reduce thermal noise
- ▸Multi-station array for source localization
Typical implementations
- ▸Apollo Passive Seismic Experiment (PSE 1969-1977)
- ▸Mars InSight SEIS instrument (2018-2022)
- ▸Lunar Geophysical Network proposed missions
Lunar considerations
- ▸Apollo found 7000+ moonquakes (mostly deep)
- ▸Burial in regolith for thermal stability
- ▸Long-life sealed instrument
Specifications
Functional
| primary function | Triaxial broadband seismic accelerometer array per Apollo ALSEP / Mars InSight SEIS heritage, detecting moonquakes and meteoroid impacts. |
| frequency range hz | 0.01, 30 |
| resolution m per s2 | 1e-10 |
Physical
| mass kg | 5 |
| materials | Broadband seismometer, Short-period seismometer, Sealed VBB instrument |
| vacuum compatibility | True |
Operational
| power consumption w | 5 |
| thermal range c | -40, 70 |
| lifetime years | 25 |
| mtbf hours | 300000 |
Interfaces
Provides
- Seismic waveforms
- Raw seismic data
Requires
- Sensors (~5 W)
- Buried installation mount
Cite this entry
Lunar Ark Codex. "Seismic Accelerometer" (L3-SSM-SEIS-ACCEL). Retrieved 10 September 2026, from https://lunarark.com/entry/L3-SSM-SEIS-ACCEL
Licensed CC-BY-SA 4.0. You may reuse and adapt this entry with attribution, under the same licence.