[1] The LEAM instrument was designed to ascertain a dust particle's speed, direction, kinetic energy and momentum.

The east and top sensors consist of a series of pairs of parallel film-grid arrays placed 5 cm (2.0 in) apart.

The west sensor omitted the front film array and as a result, could not measure the speed of dust particles.

The east sensor axis of the LEAM was aligned to a bearing of 025° to more readily capture interstellar dust particles.

[1] An investigation by Bendix Corporation hypothesised that the instrument was absorbing a large amount of heat from the environment via the east sensor opening.

[1] The instrument continued operations with shutdown time during lunar noon (~8 Earth days) to protect its long-term functionality.