PmL Instrument Onboard Luna-25 Lander: Plasma–Dust Measurements in the Surface Exosphere

The program of scientific research of the Luna-25 lunar lander includes the experiment “Dust monitoring of the Moon” (in Russian, “Pylevoi monitoring Luny” (PmL)), which provides for the study of the dynamics of lunar microparticles and parameters of the near-surface dusty plasma. Using the PmL instrument, it is planned to record for a long time individual microparticles above the lunar surface, to measure and evaluate their physical characteristics (momentum, velocity, charge, mass, and concentration), as well as to monitor the dynamics of the parameters of the near-surface dusty plasma environment (density, temperature, and potential). The instrument has passed successfully the entire range of ground tests.