There are many places on the Moon that scientists want to study in as much detail as possible. Unfortunately, they are often difficult to reach – the surrounding surface is either very uneven or in a darker area. In such cases, the ability to remotely examine the surface will be very convenient.

The new EmberCore flashlight does not emit visible light, but uses shorter wavelength light, X-rays and gamma rays to search for sources on the Moon. The EmberCore radioisotope is an innovative technology developed by Ultra Safe Nuclear Corporation (USNC) to ensure lunar night survival by heating lunar rovers and landers on a cold lunar night.

EmberCore is a Nuclear Charged Ceramic (NCC) that generates heat and X-rays without the need for external energy. It consists of a separate “glow charcoal” made from a family of commercially available inert isotopes charged with neutrons in a nuclear reactor. Isotopes and their charge levels as well as output energy can be adjusted: thermal, electrical or X-ray.

The technology is still being tested, but NASA sees its potential. With a slight modification to EmberCore, it is possible to create an x-ray and gamma-ray torch mounted on a lunar rover that will have a greater beam power than previously deployed in space. This density provides an important source of light that can travel many kilometers, interact with the ground, and then be reflected back to a special sensor.

The signal returning to the sensor is similar to a fingerprint that can be used to identify substances such as water. Since the flashlight uses surface-penetrating x-rays and gamma rays, information will emerge not only about the surface, but also about what lies beneath.

Nuclear flashlight technology can be used on any airless object and equally effective for operations on asteroids, small moons and Mercury.