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Project MoonDust: Characterization and Mitigation of Lunar Dust

Roman V. Kruzelecky, Brahim Aïssa, Brian Wong, Emile Haddad, Wes Jamroz, Edward Cloutis, Iosif Daniel Rosca, Suong V. Hoa, Daniel Therriault, Alex Ellery, Sylvain Martel and Xin-Xiang Jiang

Paper (2011)

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Abstract

The feasibility of extended exploration and human presence on the Moon and Mars depends critically on dealing with the environmental factors, especially the intrusive effects of dust. The prior Apollo landed missions found that the lunar dust exhibited high adherence to exposed surfaces and a restrictive friction-like action causing premature wear of the EVA suits. MoonDust is a project being performed in collaboration with the Canadian Space Agency to study the effects of lunar dust on optics and mechanics, and to develop innovative solutions to extend their operational lifetime within a lunar or Mars environment based on the unique properties of carbon nanotube (CNT) nanocomposites. To assist this work, a small lunar environment simulation vacuum chamber has been set-up at MPB Communications to enable the study of lunar dust effects on optics and rotary mechanisms at pressures to below 10-5 Torr. New lunar dust simulants have been developed at the University of Winnipeg, characteristic of lunar Mare (UW-M1) and highland (UW-H1) compositions, that incorporate nanophase Fe in the silica particles. This paper describes the preliminary characterization of the various available lunar dust simulants that has included IR Raman for composition, Atomic Force and SEM Microscopy for morphology, and Vibrating Sample Magnetometer (VSM) for magnetic properties. Trial CNT dust deflectors/traps were fabricated and experimentally validated for magnetic and electrostatic interactions with lunar dust simulants. Good deflection and retention of submicron dust particles for device dust protection was observed. The preliminary experimental results are discussed.

Uncontrolled Keywords

Moon; Single Walled Carbon Nanotubes; Polymer Nanocomposites; Johnson Space Center; Lunar Environment; Laser Ablation; Lunar Mission; Solar Wind; Planets; Magnetic Properties

Additional Information: Titre du manuscrit: MoonDust Characterization and Mitigation
Department: Department of Mechanical Engineering
Funders: Canadian Space Agency
PolyPublie URL: https://publications.polymtl.ca/10388/
Conference Title: 41st International Conference on Environmental Systems
Conference Location: Portland, Oregon
Conference Date(s): 2011-07-17 - 2011-07-21
Publisher: AIAA
DOI: 10.2514/6.2011-5184
Official URL: https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2011-5184
Date Deposited: 07 Jul 2022 14:51
Last Modified: 27 Sep 2024 10:18
Cite in APA 7: Kruzelecky, R. V., Aïssa, B., Wong, B., Haddad, E., Jamroz, W., Cloutis, E., Rosca, I. D., Hoa, S. V., Therriault, D., Ellery, A., Martel, S., & Jiang, X.-X. (2011, July). Project MoonDust: Characterization and Mitigation of Lunar Dust [Paper]. 41st International Conference on Environmental Systems, Portland, Oregon. https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2011-5184

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