Sensors from Jena on their way to the moon

A milestone for Thuringian research: High-precision sensors from the Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technologies (Leibniz-IPHT) in Jena are part of the current IM-2 lunar mission, which launched towards the Moon's south pole at the end of February 2025. The sensors are installed in the Lunar Radiometer (LRAD), which measures extreme temperatures on the lunar surface – in search of water ice, a potential resource for future space missions. The mission is being carried out by the US company Intuitive Machines on behalf of NASA and is part of the Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program. A highlight: The mini-lander µNova Hopper will deliberately jump into a permanently shadowed crater, where the Jena sensors will deliver highly precise temperature data under extreme conditions. The sensors are based on the thermoelectric effect and utilize highly efficient compound semiconductors. They are robust against temperature fluctuations, mechanical stress, and radiation – and have already proven themselves in missions such as ROSETTA, Curiosity, and InSight. With this mission, Leibniz-IPHT underscores its role as an internationally sought-after technology partner – and as an innovation driver for Thuringia.