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All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Dust Characterization Needs for Dust Mitigation

Unknowns remain regarding several lunar dust characteristics, and the lunar dust mitigation community, in collaboration with the science community, is compiling a list of lunar dust characterization needs. It is expected, through the course of currently planned or future lunar surface mission instrumentation, lab experiments, or analysis, that some of these unknowns will be characterized. This list is derived from several sources including findings from the 2020 publication “The Impact of Lunar Dust on Human Exploration”, NASA-STD-1008, SLS-SPEC-159 DSNE, and known gaps identified within NASA programs and projects. The goal of this information collection process is to create a list of dust characterization needs based on scientific and engineering knowledge gaps that will aid in the design and survival of designed and future systems, and address the challenges related to defining the lunar environment and mitigating lunar dust effects on systems and operations. Examples of dust properties and characterization needs include detailed examination of the finest fraction of lunar regolith as it varies by surface location, understanding dust transfer within natural and induced environments, determination of the effects of the lunar plasma environment with regards to materials and hardware, understand the triboelectric charging effects for activities and hardware in contact with the regolith, including grain to grain electrostatic interactions, and material adhesive properties.

dust mitigation↗
NASA NTRS2012

Lidar Measurements for Desert Dust Characterization: An Overview

We provide an overview of light detection and ranging (lidar) capability for describing and characterizing desert dust. This paper summarizes lidar techniques, observations, and fallouts of desert dust lidar measurements. The main objective is to provide the scientific community, including non-practitioners of lidar observations with a reference paper on dust lidar measurements. In particular, it will fill the current gap of communication between research-oriented lidar community and potential desert dust data users, such as air quality monitoring agencies and aviation advisory centers. The current capability of the different lidar techniques for the characterization of aerosol in general and desert dust in particular is presented. Technical aspects and required assumptions of these techniques are discussed, providing readers with the pros and cons of each technique. Information about desert dust collected up to date using lidar techniques is reviewed. Lidar techniques for aerosol characterization have a maturity level appropriate for addressing air quality and transportation issues, as demonstrated by some first results reported in this paper

Mona, L.↗
NASA NTRS2007

Lunar Dust: Characterization and Mitigation

Lunar dust is a ubiquitous phenomenon which must be explicitly addressed during upcoming human lunar exploration missions. Near term plans to revisit the moon as a stepping stone for further exploration of Mars, and beyond, places a primary emphasis on characterization and mitigation of lunar dust. Comprised of regolith particles ranging in size from tens of nanometers to microns, lunar dust is a manifestation of the complex interaction of the lunar soil with multiple mechanical, electrical, and gravitational effects. The environmental and anthropogenic factors effecting the perturbation, transport, and deposition of lunar dust must be studied in order to mitigate it's potentially harmful effects on exploration systems. The same hold true for assessing the risk it may pose for toxicological health problems if inhaled. This paper presents the current perspective and implementation of dust knowledge management and integration, and mitigation technology development activities within NASA's Exploration Technology Development Program. This work is presented within the context of the Constellation Program's Integrated Lunar Dust Management Strategy. This work further outlines the scientific basis for lunar dust behavior, it's characteristics and potential effects, and surveys several potential strategies for its control and mitigation both for lunar surface operations and within the working volumes of a lunar outpost. The paper also presents a perspective on lessons learned from Apollo and forensics engineering studies of Apollo hardware.

Hyatt. Mark J.↗
NASA NTRS2001

A Dust Characterization Experiment for Solar Cells Operating on Mars

During the Viking and Pathfinder missions to Mars, significant amounts of dust accumulated on the spacecrafts. In Pathfinder's case, the dust obscured the solar panels on the lander and the rover degrading their output current. The material adherence experiment aboard the Pathfinder rover quantified the rate of decrease in short circuit current at 0.28% per day. This rate is unacceptably high for long duration missions. In response, NASA has developed the Dust Accumulation and Removal Technology (DART) experiment. DART has three instruments for characterizing dust settling out of the atmosphere and tests two methods to keep dust from settling on solar cells.

Jenkins, Phillip↗
NASA NTRS2007

Lunar Dust Characterization for Exploration Life Support Systems

Lunar dust effects can have a significant impact on the performance and maintenance of future exploration life support systems. Filtration systems will be challenged by the additional loading from lunar dust, and mitigation technology and strategies have to be adapted to protect sensitive equipment. An initial characterization of lunar dust and simulants was undertaken. The data emphasize the irregular morphology of the dust particles and the frequency dependence of lunar dust layer detachment from shaken surfaces.

Agui, Juan H.↗
NASA NTRS2003

Optical Dust Characterization in Manned Mars Analogue Research Stations

Martian dust has been identified as a potentially serious hazard to any manned Mars landing mission. NASA and other organizations realize this risk and continue to support Martian dust research through the Matador project led by researchers at the University of Arizona. The Mars Society can contribute to this work by beginning a regimen of monitoring and measuring dust properties at its Mars analogue research stations. These research facilities offer the unique opportunity to study the transport and distribution of dust particles within a crewed habitat supporting active geologic exploration. Information regarding the amount, location and size of dust particles that may accumulate in a Mars habitat will be required to design a real Mars habitat and habitat equipment. Beginning such an effort does not require a large outlay of equipment and can be accomplished using crewmembers experienced with station operations. Various optical techniques, such as dark-field illumination, coupled with image processing algorithms enable the collection of dust grain relative size and frequency information. Such approaches can be applied in several different zones within the research stations to evaluate the various dust reduction and isolation procedures implemented during a particular crew rotation. As the stations simulation fidelity increases, the applicability of such data to a functional Mars lander will increase. This presentation describes the optical equipment and procedures for measuring dust properties in Mars analogue research stations that can be implemented during the next field season.

Bos, B. J.↗
NASA NTRS2008

Lunar Dust Characterization Activity at GRC

The fidelity of lunar simulants as compared to actual regolith is evaluated using Figures of Merit (FOM) which are based on four criteria: Particle Size, Particle Shape, Composition, and Density of the bulk material. In practice, equipment testing will require other information about both the physical properties (mainly of the dust fraction) and composition as a function of particle size. At Glenn Research Center (GRC) we are involved in evaluating a number of simulant properties of consequence to testing of lunar equipment in a relevant environment, in order to meet Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 6 criteria. Bulk regolith has been characterized for many decades, but surprisingly little work has been done on the dust fraction (particles less than 20 micrometers in diameter). GRC is currently addressing the information shortfall by characterizing the following physical properties: Particle Size Distribution, Adhesion, Abrasivity, Surface Energy, Magnetic Susceptibility, Tribocharging and Surface Chemistry/Reactivity. Since some of these properties are also dependent on the size of the particles we have undertaken the construction of a six stage axial cyclone particle separator to fractionate dust into discrete particle size distributions for subsequent evaluation of these properties. An introduction to this work and progress to date will be presented.

Street, Kenneth W.↗
NASA NTRS2004

Mars Dust: Characterization of Particle Size and Electrostatic Charge Distributions

Some of the latest pictures of Mars surface sent by NASA s Spirit rover in early January, 2004, show very cohesive, mud-like dust layers. Significant amounts of dust clouds are present in the atmosphere of Mars. NASA spacecraft missions to Mars confirmed hypotheses from telescopic work that changes observed in the planet s surface markings are caused by wind-driven redistribution of dust. In these dust storms, particles with a wide range of diameters (< 1 m to 50 m) are a serious problem to solar cells, spacecraft, and spacesuits. Dust storms may cover the entire planet for an extended period of time. It is highly probable that the particles are charged electrostatically by triboelectrification and by UV irradiation.

Mazumder, M. K.↗
NASA NTRS2004

Mars Dust: Characterization of Particle Size and Electrostatic Charge Distribution

Some of the latest pictures of Mars surface sent by NASA's Spirit rover in early January, 2004, show very cohesive, "mud-like" dust layers. Significant amounts of dust clouds are present in the atmosphere of Mars [1-4]. NASA spacecraft missions to Mars confirmed hypotheses from telescopic work that changes observed in the planet's surface markings are caused by wind-driven redistribution of dust. In these dust storms, particles with a wide range of diameters (less than 1 micrometer to 50 micrometers) are a serious problem to solar cells, spacecraft, and spacesuits. Dust storms may cover the entire planet for an extended period of time [5]. It is highly probable that the particles are charged electrostatically by triboelectrification and by UV irradiation.

Mazumder, M. K.↗
NASA NTRS1999

Characterization of Settled Atmospheric Dust by the DART Experiment

The DART ("Dust Accumulation and Removal Test") package is an experiment which will fly as part of the MIP experiment on the Mars-2001 Surveyor Lander. Dust deposition could be a significant problem for photovoltaic array operation for long duration emissions on the surface of Mars. Measurements made by Pathfinder showed 0.3% loss of solar array performance per day due to dust obscuration. The DART experiment is designed to quantify dust deposition from the Mars atmosphere, measure the properties of settled dust, measure the effect of dust deposition on the array performance, and test several methods of mitigating the effect of settled dust on a solar array. Although the purpose of DART (along with its sister experiment, MATE) is to gather information critical to the design of future power systems on the surface of Mars, the dust characterization instrumentation on DART will also provide significant scientific data on the properties of settled atmospheric dust.

Landis, Geoffrey A.↗
NASA NTRS2012

MISR Decadal Observations of Mineral Dust: Property Characterization and Climate Applications

The Multi-angle Imaging SpectroRadiometer (MISR) provides a unique, independent source of data for studying dust emission and transport. MISR's multiple view angles allow the retrieval of aerosol properties over bright surfaces, and such retrievals have been shown to be sensitive to the non-sphericity of dust aerosols over both land and water. MISR stereographic views of thick aerosol plumes allow height and instantaneous wind derivations at spatial resolutions of better than 1.1 km horizontally and ~200m vertically. We will discuss the radiometric and stereo-retrieval capabilities of MISR specifically for dust, and demonstrate the use of MISR data in conjunction with other available satellite observations for dust property characterization and climate studies.First, we will discuss MISR non-spherical (dust) fraction product over the global oceans. We will show that over the Atlantic Ocean, changes in the MISR-derived non-spherical AOD fraction illustrate the evolution of dust during transport. Next, we will present a MISR satellite perspective on dust climatology in major dust source regions with a particular emphasis on the West Africa and Middle East and discuss MISR's unique strengths as well as current product biases. Finally, we will discuss MISR dust plume product and climatological applications.

dust sources↗
NASA NTRS2010

The Dust Management Project: Characterizing Lunar Environments and Dust, Developing Regolith Mitigation Technology and Simulants

A return to the Moon to extend human presence, pursue scientific activities, use the Moon to prepare for future human missions to Mars, and expand Earth?s economic sphere, will require investment in developing new technologies and capabilities to achieve affordable and sustainable human exploration. From the operational experience gained and lessons learned during the Apollo missions, conducting long-term operations in the lunar environment will be a particular challenge, given the difficulties presented by the unique physical properties and other characteristics of lunar regolith, including dust. The Apollo missions and other lunar explorations have identified significant lunar dust-related problems that will challenge future mission success. Comprised of regolith particles ranging in size from tens of nanometers to microns, lunar dust is a manifestation of the complex interaction of the lunar soil with multiple mechanical, electrical, and gravitational effects. The environmental and anthropogenic factors effecting the perturbation, transport, and deposition of lunar dust must be studied in order to mitigate it?s potentially harmful effects on exploration systems and human explorers. The Dust Management Project (DMP) is tasked with the evaluation of lunar dust effects, assessment of the resulting risks, and development of mitigation and management strategies and technologies related to Exploration Systems architectures. To this end, the DMP supports the overall goal of the Exploration Technology Development Program (ETDP) of addressing the relevant high priority technology needs of multiple elements within the Constellation Program (CxP) and sister ETDP projects. Project scope, plans, and accomplishments will be presented.

Hyatt, Mark J.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Characterization of dust on clear filter from returned Surveyor 3 television camera

Surveyor 3 landed on the moon in April 1967. Part of the spacecraft was returned to earth in November 1969 by the Apollo 12 astronauts. A stripping film containing dust removed from the camera light filter was received for study. The study involved the characterization of the dust; the results of the study are presented.

Robertson, D. M.↗
NASA NTRS2024

Dust Tolerance Characterization of Lunar Docking and Hatch Seals

Low-leakage seals are an enabling technology for future lunar surface systems, and they must be kept clean to ensure that crews have sufficient breathable air for extended lunar surface missions. Previous testing has shown that contamination and debris on seals can cause them to exhibit higher leak rates. However, seal performance in the presence of lunar dust has not been thoroughly characterized, and the size and concentration of dust particles that cause seal leak rates to become unacceptable have not been defined or well understood. To address this knowledge gap, researchers at the NASA Glenn Research Center have been executing a multiphase study to better understand and mitigate seal dust-exposure risks. The focus of this paper is on the first phase of that study, in which tests were conducted to develop a performance database for two representative state-of-the-art seal designs. Leak rates are presented for seals with varying levels of dust contamination, and breakthrough points are identified at which seal leak rates exceeded equivalent leak rate requirements. This phase of the study also investigated the effects of temperature on the seals’ ability to hold pressure when contaminated with dust.

Dust Mitigation↗
NASA NTRS2001

Characterization of Dust Properties at the Source Region During ACE-Asia

ACE (Aerosol Characterization Experiment)-Asia is designed to study the compelling variability in spatial and temporal scale of both pollution-derived and naturally-occurring aerosols, which often exist in high concentrations over eastern Asia and along the rim of the western Pacific. The phase-I of ACE-Asia was conducted from March-May 2001 in the vicinity of the Gobi desert, east coast of China, Yellow Sea, Korea, and Japan, along the pathway of Kosa (severe events that blanket East Asia with yellow desert dust, peaked in the Spring season). Asian dust typically originates in desert areas far from polluted urban regions. During transport, dust layers can interact with anthropogenic sulfate and soot aerosols from heavily polluted urban areas. Added to the complex effects of clouds and natural marine aerosols, dust particles reaching the marine environment can have drastically different properties than those from the source. Thus, understanding the unique temporal and spatial variations of Asian dust is of special importance in regional-to-global climate issues such as radiative forcing, the hydrological cycle, and primary biological productivity in the mid-Pacific Ocean. During ACE-Asia we have measured continuously aerosol optical/radiative properties, column precipitable water amount, and surface reflectivity over homogeneous areas from surface. The inclusion of flux measurements permits the determination of dust aerosol radiative flux in addition to measurements of loading and optical thickness. At the time of the Terra/MODIS overpass, these ground-based observations can provide valuable data to compare with MODIS retrievals over land. Preliminary results will be presented and discussed their implications in regional climatic effects.

Tsay, Si-Chee↗
NASA NTRS2002

Characterization of Dust Properties during ACE-Asia and PRIDE: A Column Satellite-Surface Perspective

Many recent field experiments are designed to study the compelling variability in spatial and temporal scale of both pollution-derived and naturally occurring aerosols, which often exist in high concentration over particular pathways around the globe. For example, the ACE-Asia (Aerosol Characterization Experiment-Asia) was conducted from March-May 2001 in the vicinity of the Taklimakan and Gobi deserts, East Coast of China, Yellow Sea, Korea, and Japan, along the pathway of Kosa (severe events that blanket East Asia with yellow desert dust, peaked in the Spring season). The PRIDE (Puerto RIco Dust Experiment, July 2000) was designed to measure the properties of Saharan dust transported across the Atlantic Ocean to the Caribbean. Dust particles typically originate in desert areas far from polluted urban regions. During transport, dust layers can interact with anthropogenic sulfate and soot aerosols from heavily polluted urban areas. Added to the complex effects of clouds and natural marine aerosols, dust particles reaching the marine environment can have drastically different properties than those from the source. Thus, understanding the unique temporal and spatial variations of dust aerosols is of special importance in regional-to-global climate issues such as radiative forcing, the hydrological cycle, and primary biological productivity in the ocean. During ACE-Asia and PRIDE we had measured aerosol physical/optical/radiative properties, column precipitable water amount, and surface reflectivity over homogeneous areas from ground-based remote sensing. The inclusion of flux measurements permits the determination of aerosol radiative flux in addition to measurements of loading and optical depth. At the time of the Terra/MODIS, SeaWiFS, TOMS and other satellite overpasses, these ground-based observations can provide valuable data to compare with satellite retrievals over land. We will present the results and discuss their implications in regional climatic effects.

Lau, William K. M.↗
NASA NTRS1998

Characterization of exozodiacal dust with the Keck interferometer, VLTI, and SIM

This overview discusses three interferometers for characterization of exozodiacal dust: Keck Interferometer, the Very Large Telescope Interferometer (VLTI), and the Space Interferometry Mission (SIM). The emphasis will be toward the Keck Interferometer, as exozodiacal dust characterization is one of its science requirements.

Colavita, Mark↗