The Lunar Orbital Radio Detector (LORD) is a cancelled instrument that was intended to conduct astronomical observations as part of the Russian Luna 26 lunar orbiter mission. LORD was designed to observe Askaryan radiation; high energy cosmic particles interacting with lunar regolith can produce radiation detectable as radio waves. LORD was specifically targeting radiation caused by ultra-high-energy cosmic ray (UHECR) and ultra high energy neutrino (UHEN).
In 2016, the decision to remove LORD from Luna-26 was made as other on board equipment and cable network would cause radio interference with the instrument.
See also Dark Ages Radio Explorer Hongmeng project
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