NASA Logo

NTRS

NTRS - NASA Technical Reports Server

Back to Results
Lunar Dust: Characterization and MitigationLunar dust is a ubiquitous phenomenon which must be explicitly addressed during upcoming human lunar exploration missions. Near term plans to revisit the moon as a stepping stone for further exploration of Mars, and beyond, places a primary emphasis on characterization and mitigation of lunar dust. Comprised of regolith particles ranging in size from tens of nanometers to microns, lunar dust is a manifestation of the complex interaction of the lunar soil with multiple mechanical, electrical, and gravitational effects. The environmental and anthropogenic factors effecting the perturbation, transport, and deposition of lunar dust must be studied in order to mitigate it's potentially harmful effects on exploration systems. The same hold true for assessing the risk it may pose for toxicological health problems if inhaled. This paper presents the current perspective and implementation of dust knowledge management and integration, and mitigation technology development activities within NASA's Exploration Technology Development Program. This work is presented within the context of the Constellation Program's Integrated Lunar Dust Management Strategy. This work further outlines the scientific basis for lunar dust behavior, it's characteristics and potential effects, and surveys several potential strategies for its control and mitigation both for lunar surface operations and within the working volumes of a lunar outpost. The paper also presents a perspective on lessons learned from Apollo and forensics engineering studies of Apollo hardware.
Document ID
20080005580
Acquisition Source
Glenn Research Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Hyatt. Mark J.
(NASA Glenn Research Center Cleveland, OH, United States)
Feighery, John
(NASA Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)
Date Acquired
August 24, 2013
Publication Date
October 24, 2007
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Science And Exploration
Meeting Information
Meeting: 9th International Conference on the Exploration and Utilization of the Moon/International Lunar Exploration Working Group
Location: Sorrento
Country: Italy
Start Date: October 22, 2007
End Date: October 27, 2007
Sponsors: European Space Agency
Funding Number(s)
WBS: WBS 092837.04.02.01.03
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
No Preview Available