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Lunar Regolith Trajectories as a Result of Plume Surface InteractionsLunar regolith is ejected from the impingement points of descent engine plumes. Such particles pose potential risks to surface operations, sites of scientific and historical interest, and orbiting spacecraft. Consequently, determining the resultant trajectories of these particles is necessary in order to estimate and mitigate risk. Here we present the ranges, impact latitudes, times of flight, and maximum altitudes for particles accelerated by a plume surface interaction at the lunar south pole. Using launch angles determined from observations and simulations, and for velocities <1:6 km/s, particles pose little risk. However, above 1:6 km/s the risks increase, and the results become highly sensitive to the initial angle. In addition, gravitational and non-gravitational processes will introduce perturbations to high-velocity trajectories resulting in a reduction in precision. Therefore, while local topography or artificial berms may mitigate trajectories with low initial angles, it remains important to place tight constraints on the potential launch angles of particles accelerated by plume surface interactions through simulations and experimentation. If these angles are indeed constrained to within a few degrees of the horizon, the risks posed by accelerated regolith particles at any velocity will be minimal.
Document ID
20210016051
Acquisition Source
Kennedy Space Center
Document Type
Poster
Authors
Daniel Batcheldor
(Southeastern Universities Research Association Washington D.C., District of Columbia, United States)
James Mantovani
(Kennedy Space Center Merritt Island, Florida, United States)
Matthew Wittal
(Kennedy Space Center Merritt Island, Florida, United States)
Date Acquired
May 21, 2021
Subject Category
Astrodynamics
Meeting Information
Meeting: Lunar Surface Science Workshop
Location: Virtual
Country: US
Start Date: August 18, 2021
End Date: August 19, 2021
Sponsors: Universities Space Research Association
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: 80KSC017C0012
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Public Use Permitted.
Technical Review
NASA Technical Management
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