Electrodynamic dust shield for surface exploration activities on the Moon and Mars
- Paper number
IAC-06-A5.2.07
- Author
Dr. Carlos Calle, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)/Kennedy Space Center, United States
- Coauthor
Dr. Christopher Immer, United States
- Coauthor
Ms. Michelle Michalenko, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)/Kennedy Space Center, United States
- Coauthor
Mr. Jeffrey Starnes, United States
- Coauthor
Dr. Charles Buhler, United States
- Coauthor
Dr. James Mantovani, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)/Kennedy Space Center, United States
- Year
2006
- Abstract
The Apollo missions to the moon showed that lunar dust can hamper astronaut surface activities due to its ability to cling to most surfaces. NASA’s Mars exploration landers and rovers have also shown that the problem is equally hard if not harder on Mars. In this paper, we report on our efforts to develop and electrodynamic dust shield to prevent the accumulation of dust on surfaces and to remove dust already adhering to those surfaces. The parent technology for the electrodynamic dust shield, developed in the 1970s, has been shown to lift and transport charged and uncharged particles using electrostatic and dielectrophoretic forces. This technology has never been applied for space applications on Mars or the moon due to electrostatic breakdown concerns. In this paper, we show that an appropriate design can prevent the electrostatic breakdown at the low Martian atmospheric pressures. We are also able to show that uncharged dust can be lifted and removed from surfaces under simulated Martian environmental conditions. This technology has many potential benefits for removing dust from visors, viewports and many other surfaces as well as from solar arrays. We have also been able to develop a version of the electrodynamic dust shield working under hard vacuum conditions. This version should work well on the moon. We present data on the design and optimization of both types of dust shields as well substantial data on the clearing factors for transparent dust shields designed to protect solar panels for Martian exploration.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-06-A5.2.07.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
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