Dust Removal and Best Practices at the Mars Desert Research Station
- Paper number
IAC-10.A5.1.8
- Author
Ms. Stacy Irwin, Florida Institute of Technology, United States
- Coauthor
Prof. Bernard Foing, ILEWG, The Netherlands
- Coauthor
Mrs. Artemis Westenberg, The Mars Society, The Netherlands
- Coauthor
Dr. Carol Stoker, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), United States
- Year
2010
- Abstract
The Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS) in the Utah desert is an isolated habitat in which six humans simulate living and working on Mars. The human subjects must deal with the omnipresent problem of dust contamination in the habitat, just as they would if living in a closed system dwelling on the Moon or Mars. We present a study of the hazards, source, spread, and removal of dust and dirt within the MDRS Hab, and suggest best practices for egress/ingress events and daily housekeeping for future lunar and Martian habitats. \vspace{4mm}\par\noindent {\bf Introduction}\par At smaller than micron sizes, the thermal energy of dust makes it behave like a gas, being easily inhaled, landing in one’s eyes, and getting into computer systems and other machines that use air intake for cooling. \vspace{4mm}\par\noindent {\bf Hazards}\par Not only cleanliness of the dwelling is affected by the presence of dust. It also causes irritation to the eyes, nose, and throat. Specific consequences of long-term inhaled dust are not clear but anecdotal evidence suggests increased difficulty breathing, over production of mucus, coughing, nosebleeds, and headaches. \vspace{4mm}\par\noindent {\bf Sources and Spread}\par The dust exists outside the habitat but enters by way of airlocks during egress/ingress events. It clings to suits and helmets, which must be brought into the habitat for servicing/repair. The dust becomes airborne with sweeping motions, by shaking rags that have been used to wipe up dust, and sudden bursts of air onto dusty surfaces. Due to tribo-electrification, the dust particles also have charge and become attracted to surfaces, such as monitors, screens, computers, and any electrical equipment. In addition, it settles onto counter tops, cooking surfaces, within cooking implements, and on food itself. \vspace{4mm}\par\noindent {\bf Removal}\par Possible methods of cleaning investigated include: dry-wiping, sweeping, vacuuming, and wet-wiping. \vspace{4mm}\par\noindent {\bf Acknowledgements}\par We thank the Mars Society, ILEWG, Ecole de l' Air, Space Florida, the EuroMoonMars Campaign, Dr. Samuel Durrance, and MDRS Crew 91 (Anthony Perrin, Saranisa Voute, Irene Schlacht, Arnaud Cabanel, and Stephane Chevrier) for their support in this study.- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-10.A5.1.8.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.