The University of Rome Tor Vergata is pleased to highlight its contribution to the LEM-X (Lunar Electromagnetic Monitor in X-rays) project, a major scientific initiative led by INAF Istituto Nazionale di Astrofisica, in collaboration with the Agenzia Spaziale Italiana and the Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche.

Within this framework, our research team has been engaged in the preliminary multi-physics analysis of the instrument’s support structure. This work has played a key role in shaping the mission concept during its early development phase, ensuring the robustness and feasibility of the proposed design.

The project is now advancing rapidly, with recent findings published in Experimental Astronomy. The paper presents the design and performance of the coded mask, a crucial component of the instrument, demonstrating strong imaging capabilities through a combination of wide field-of-view observations, high sensitivity, and precise localization of high-energy transient sources. These features are essential for the advancement of multi-messenger astrophysics.

Current developments include:

• The realization of a demonstrator based on a single camera system, with the objective of deploying a Pathfinder instrument on the lunar surface within the next three to four years.
• The application of advanced engineering tools, including Ansys software, for multi-physics simulations to validate structural and thermo-mechanical performance under extreme space conditions.

By enabling a permanent observational presence on the Moon, LEM-X represents a significant step toward expanding the frontiers of space exploration. The lunar surface is emerging as a strategic platform for investigating the high-energy Universe and supporting future deep-space missions.

Read the full paper: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10686-026-10047-x