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Lunar Dust Mitigation: A Guide and Reference: First Edition (2021)

On the surface of the Moon, lunar dust specifically presents unique challenges to operations long-term due to regolith particles’ ubiquitous presence in the lunar environment, potential to electrostatically charge and possible chemical reactivity. Whether to avoid exposure, try to remove or simply to tolerate lunar dust infiltrating a system becomes a complex question involving length of required service life, dust effects and critical risks, mass and complexity trades for the entire system. This publication provides a snapshot of advice from topical experts for specific areas of concern to systems targeted for deployment on the lunar surface.

Following introductory overview commentary, dust mitigation approaches appropriate to the lunar surface are first addressed for typically static structures such as optical surfaces, radiators, and other thermal control surfaces, followed by regolith exposure concerns for communications equipment and non-optical sensors. The broad topic of mechanisms and mechanical assemblies is broken down to address relevant component level concerns, such as for bearings and for seals. “Soft goods” components of space suits (fabric) specific concerns are discussed, followed finally by brief coverage of human health issues and concerns, though the emphasis of this publication remains with components directly exposed to the harsh lunar surface environment.

A description of some lunar surface hazard details, in particular characteristics of lunar surface dust, follows in Appendix A, and more detailed explanations of quantification issues for particulates are in Appendix B. The simple inertial removal of particles from a surface is discussed in Appendix C, followed by a summary of terrestrial best practices for dust mitigation recommended within select industries in Appendix D. The aggregated bibliography of references, while extensive and very useful, should not be construed to be exhaustive and can serve as a constructive start.

Document ID
20220018746
Acquisition Source
Glenn Research Center
Document Type
Technical Publication (TP)
Authors
Phillip B. Abel
(Glenn Research Center Cleveland, Ohio, United States)
Michael D. Anderson
(Glenn Research Center Cleveland, Ohio, United States)
Eric T. Blom
(University of Chicago Chicago, Illinois, United States)
Carlos Calle
(Kennedy Space Center Merritt Island, Florida, United States)
Patrick H. Dunlap
(Glenn Research Center Cleveland, Ohio, United States)
Paul S. Greenberg
(Glenn Research Center Cleveland, Ohio, United States)
David G. Fischer
(Glenn Research Center Cleveland, Ohio, United States)
S. Adam Howard
(Glenn Research Center Cleveland, Ohio, United States)
Katy M. Hurlbert
(Johnson Space Center Houston, Texas, United States)
Jennifer L. Jordan
(Glenn Research Center Cleveland, Ohio, United States)
Damian R. Ludwiczak
(Glenn Research Center Cleveland, Ohio, United States)
Evelyne Orndoff
(Johnson Space Center Houston, Texas, United States)
Fransua Thomas
(Glenn Research Center Cleveland, Ohio, United States)
Christopher J. Wohl
(Langley Research Center Hampton, Virginia, United States)
Date Acquired
December 8, 2022
Publication Date
September 1, 2023
Subject Category
Lunar and Planetary Science and Exploration
Technology Utilization and Surface Transportation
Report/Patent Number
E-20102
Funding Number(s)
WBS: 596118.04.46.22
CONTRACT_GRANT: 80GRC019D0001
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Portions of document may include copyright protected material.
Technical Review
Single Expert
Keywords
dust
lunar surface
optics
thermal control
mechanisms
bearings
seals
human health
lunar dust
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