Electrostatic and Magnetic Cleaning Systems for Removing Lunar Dust Adhering to Spacesuits

In this paper, the detection of the lunar surface soil permittivity with megahertz electromagnetic (EM) waves by spaceborne radar is studied based on the EM scattering theory, the Boltzmann–Shukla equations, and the improved scattering matrix method (ISMM). The reflection characteristics of the lunar surface soil subject to megahertz waves are analyzed through the EM scattering theory and expressed by the lunar surface soil permittivity. Then, the lunar ionosphere is assumed to be composed of dusty plasma, and its EM characteristics are described with the Boltzmann–Shukla equations. Finally, the transmission and reflection characteristics of the propagation of EM waves in the lunar ionosphere are numerically calculated with ISMM. Thus, the complex permittivity of lunar surface soil is obtained. In addition, the effects of detection environment situations, such as the lunar illumination intensity, characteristics of the lunar dust and dust charging process in the lunar ionosphere, on the amplitude and phase of EM waves are also investigated in this study. The simulation results show that an EM wave at a high frequency induces a strong effective wave with a stable phase shift and a significantly small interferential wave. Moreover, the lunar illumination is more effective under EM waves in low frequency bands; the characteristics of the lunar dust have a notable influence on the transmission and absorption coefficients of the effective waves. These conclusions help in real applications involving the detection of the lunar surface soil permittivity by spaceborne radar in various lunar environments.

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Ultraviolet Albedo of Comet West (1976 VI)

Symposium - International Astronomical Union ◽

10.1017/s007418090006681x ◽

1980 ◽

Vol 90 ◽

pp. 263-266

Author(s):

P. D. Feldman

Keyword(s):

Solar Radiation ◽

Solar Spectrum ◽

Ultraviolet Spectrum ◽

The Moon ◽

Lunar Dust ◽

Cometary Dust ◽

A Value ◽

Dust Coma ◽

Spectrometer Slit ◽

The Continuum

The ultraviolet spectrum of Comet West (1976 VI) in the range 1200-3200 Å was recorded by rocket-borne instruments on March 5.5, 1976. At the time of launch, r = 0.385, Δ = 0.84 and the phase angle was 78°. Longward of 2100 Å the continuum of solar radiation scattered by cometary dust is detected and is found to closely follow the solar spectrum. Since the dust coma is completely included in the spectrometer slit, the ultraviolet albedo can be determined relative to the visible and this ratio is found to be ≈0.3 at 2700 Å. There is evidence for a further decrease in albedo near 2200 Å. Using a visible albedo of 0.2 gives a value of 0.06 for the cometary albedo at 2700 Å, a value similar to that found for the moon and lunar dust in this spectral region.

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Possible morphological similarities between lunar dust particles and interplanetary dust particles collected from earth's atmosphere

Advances in Space Research ◽

10.1016/j.asr.2020.04.017 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 66 (3) ◽

pp. 715-719

Author(s):

Marek S. Żbik

Keyword(s):

Interplanetary Dust ◽

Dust Particles ◽

Interplanetary Dust Particles ◽

Lunar Dust ◽

Earth’S Atmosphere ◽

Earth's Atmosphere

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Future lunar missions and investigation of dusty plasma processes on the Moon

Journal of Plasma Physics ◽

10.1017/s0022377813000214 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 79 (4) ◽

pp. 405-411 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

SERGEY I. POPEL ◽

LEV M. ZELENYI

Keyword(s):

Dusty Plasma ◽

Lunar Surface ◽

Dust Particles ◽

Maximum Height ◽

Charged Dust ◽

The Moon ◽

Plasma System ◽

Lunar Dust ◽

The Impact ◽

Dusty Plasma System

AbstractFrom the Apollo era of exploration, it was discovered that sunlight was scattered at the terminators giving rise to “horizon glow” and “streamers” above the lunar surface. Subsequent investigations have shown that the sunlight was most likely scattered by electrostatically charged dust grains originating from the surface. A renaissance is being observed currently in investigations of the Moon. The Luna-Glob and Luna-Resource missions (the latter jointly with India) are being prepared in Russia. Some of these missions will include investigations of lunar dust. Here we discuss the future experimental investigations of lunar dust within the missions of Luna-Glob and Luna-Resource. We consider the dusty plasma system over the lunar surface and determine the maximum height of dust rise. We describe mechanisms of formation of the dusty plasma system over the Moon and its main properties, determine distributions of electrons and dust over the lunar surface, and show a possibility of rising dust particles over the surface of the illuminated part of the Moon in the entire range of lunar latitudes. Finally, we discuss the effect of condensation of micrometeoriod substance during the expansion of the impact plume and show that this effect is important from the viewpoint of explanation of dust particle rise to high altitudes in addition to the dusty plasma effects.

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Reply [to “Comment on ‘Depth of the Lunar Dust’ by L. D. Jaffe”]

Journal of Geophysical Research Atmospheres ◽

10.1029/jz071i020p05011 ◽

1966 ◽

Vol 71 (20) ◽

pp. 5011-5011 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

L. D. Jaffe

Keyword(s):

Lunar Dust

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The importance of lunar dust mitigation during future human led lunar missions

10.5194/egusphere-egu21-10478 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Donald Hendrix

Keyword(s):

Lunar Surface ◽

Health And Safety ◽

Dust Exposure ◽

Space Suit ◽

Lunar Dust ◽

Silica Dust ◽

Pass Through ◽

High Level ◽

Vacuum Systems ◽

Lunar Missions

<p>With the Artemis mission set to launch in 2024, returning humans to the lunar surface for the first time in over half a century, it is imperative to ensure human health and safety on a variety of fronts. Lunar dust exposure is one of many areas of concern regarding astronaut health and safety. During the Apollo missions it was reported that lunar dust was a nuisance and induced allergic-like symptoms upon exposure. In addition, it was also reported that instruments became coated with dust that was difficult to remove, and that the dust adhered to everything and tore through space suit fabric. Numerous inhalation studies have determined that lunar dust is more toxic than analogous terrestrial materials but less so than silica dust. Apollo dust mitigation systems were successful on some missions but failed on others. As humans are to stay on the lunar surface for extended periods relative to the Apollo missions, it is vital to fabricate instruments that would address the lunar dust problem with greater reliability. There must be multiple steps to remove all lunar dust, including the ultra-fine <10 &#181;m fraction which was the most difficult dust size to remove. There must be multiple steps regarding lunar dust removal including a chamber to remove dust and de-suit, and a vacuum with high level HEPA filtration to remove dust. The first chamber would be to filter out any dust that comes into the module from the outside. Once all the air is clear, then the next step would be to remove any remaining dust on the suits using a hand-held vacuum with a HEPA H14 filter which only allows up to a maximum 0.005% of particles 100 nm in size to pass through the filter. Then, it would be safe to de-suit. It would be wise to have a second chamber between the first chamber and the command center of the lunar module that would vacuum any remaining dust before opening to the main command chamber. Ultra-high quality HEPA filters of both the chamber and hand-held vacuum systems should be replaced frequently to maintain optimal dust mitigation. Investing time and resources into lunar dust mitigation should be a top priority for the upcoming Artemis mission to avoid the issues encountered on the Apollo missions.</p>

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