Dust on the moon has been a significant issue for lunar surface missions. Lunar dust is everywhere on the moon. We know that dust had a negative impact on the people and equipment it touched in the Apollo missions.

Future exploration missions to Moon will ultimately be far longer and include far more extensive surface activities than in Apollo. To accomplish these successfully, NASA must address the risks associated with long-term exposure to lunar dust.

NASA Glenn is leading the Dust Management Project, which involves the coordination, integration and implementation of lunar dust risk reduction activities across the agency. These activities include developing system requirements associated with dust exposure including characterizing dust exposure, understanding the effects of dust exposure to humans and equipment and establishing effective dust management procedures.

Scanning electron microscope image of an individual grain of lunar dust (credit: NASA).

To properly define system requirements for dust exposure and resistance, regolith (soil from planets other than Earth) must be characterized and fully understood. NASA is developing lunar simulants, including dust that looks and behaves like the real lunar dust, to aid in this effort.

Lunar dust is the consistency of fine, abrasive talcum powder and is found in the top 1-10 cm on the surface of the moon. Some dust particles are so small that the human eye can not detect their presence. The pervasive nature of lunar dust poses risks to the people and equipment it contacts.

Optical micrograph of bulk sample of lunar dust (credit: NASA).

The surface of the moon is unique and is always changing. It is constantly bombarded by solar wind and radiation, micrometeorites, and cosmic rays. As micrometeorites hit the lunar surface at high speeds (11-72 km/sec), regolith is melted and vaporized. Then, it cools and condenses on other surface particles. During impact, the lunar surface also fractures, which creates more dust.

Dust from the moon will cling to anything it touches including space suits, tools and the exploration vehicle. When an astronaut returns from a spacewalk on the moon, he/she will bring some lunar dust inside the vehicle or stationary lunar habitat.

The fine powder may go into the lungs of the astronaut or other astronauts inside the vehicle. Some dust particles are so minute that the human body can not detect or expel them, which could lead to health problems. Sensitive, expensive equipment used to explore and perform other tasks in space may also be damaged from this dust.

As NASA brings humans closer to returning to the moon, Glenn is helping to ensure that future exploration activities will be safe for both the humans and systems involved.

 

Contact at NASA Glenn Research Center
Chief,  Advanced Capabilities Project Office: Ann P. Over
Space Flight Systems  Directorate / Advanced Flight Projects Office
216-433-6535