The problem

Described as being as fine as talc but as rough as sandpaper, it also has properties that make it dangerous for both men and machines and has been cited as a bigger problem for future astronauts than radiation by some scientists.

The lunar surface is covered in a thin layer of dust which has been created by the bombardment of meteorites and micrometeorites over millions of years. These smash into the moon's surface at speeds up to 20km per second, heating and pulverising rocks and dirt, which contain silica and metals such as iron. Some of the dust is melted in the extreme heat of the impacts which creates tiny glass beads as the silica melts which then flash freezes and falls back to the surface.

This continual smashing, shatters the silica and other minerals to produces finer and finer grains of dust but because there is no weathering on the moon like there is on earth, the edges of these tiny shards which are not only very hard, they remain very sharp and jagged which makes it incredibly abrasive and potentially damaging to anything it sticks to.

Because of this, during Apollo 17, crew members Harrison “Jack” Schmitt and Gene Cernan had reported that the dust was making it difficult for them to move their arms around during the moonwalks because it had got into the joints of their space suits, as well as it also damaged the seals between the gloves and the spacesuit locking ring so they started to slowly leak air into the vacuum on the moon's surface.

There was also no way to isolate the crew from the dust in the lander cabin either. When the crews returned to the lander and re-pressurized the cabin, on every mission they noticed that some of the dust became airborne and floated around the cabin, not only coating the inside of the craft but they also breathed in as well. Schmitt said that he felt congested and complained of "Lunar dust hay fever".

Upon further examination of the Lunar dust, it was revealed that the dust itself can damage cellular DNA on a microscopic level. Not only that, but the high ion content could lead to liver problems, arrhythmia and diabetes.

Detecting And Surveying Moon Dust

Satellite System

After doing some research, we found that rigolith acts differently when exposed to UV Light. The optical properties of lunar dust such as reflectance spectra, absorption spectra changed drastically, possibly related to changes in the oxidation state of iron.

Using this principal, we devised to detect as well as map lunar "Dust storms" and study their patterns. We planned to deploy 4 satellites, 100km above the moon's surface parked in an inclination of 27 Degrees and 76 Degrees which act as frozen orbits, meaning that they wont fall back down to the Moon.

The main function of the satellite is to scan the Light Intensity of the Lunar dust after exposed to UV light. The more the light intensity changes, the higher the concentration of Lunar dust. This information will be relayed to Ground Control and is then processed for Astronaut use. This information can also be used to assess possible future landing sites as well as warn Astronauts of incoming "Dust storms". Also, the information can be used to forecast future dust storms and the satellite themselves can act as a relay to send information from the Moon base to Ground Control. Not only that, but they can also act as small offshore servers used to store experiment data for later use.

Here is a small diagram of the satellite:

Smart Dust

Ironically, we suggest the use of the dust to detect the dust. That could be achieved through the so called “Smart Dust”. The idea itself isn’t that innovative. In fact, was first discussed in early ‘90s. What is innovative indeed is the application. So, what on earth (or the moon should we say) is that?

There is even no need to try keep it simple as the principle is already primitive: it is literally a cloud of tiny computers about a size of a sand grain each fitted with battery, sensors and transmitters and having a cost of around 10 cents. Based on microelectromechanical systems, or MEMs, they form a smart wirelessly connected network that could be used to track patterns in dust behavior.

Smart Dust could be sprayed across the moon surface to detect the charged lunar dust particles as well as their speed and direction of travel. The sensors relay signals through the use of RFID system back to command computers that could be placed on satellites as previously mentioned. They would compile the data to give feedback about detailed migration of dust concentration, which could be utilized by the Astronauts.

Inter Digitated Transducer Sensors

Although in our moon program scenario we presume that the system of using the spacesuits doesn’t involve the undressing inside the spacecraft like in Apollo program, we do consider the possibility of leaks due to lunar dust properties.

Inter Digitated Transducer sensors are used to detect the presence of charged particles in the moon. Whenever a charged dust particle interacts with the detecting surface, it generates a pulse which is processed and counted by the computer to get information about the level of dust based counts per minute inside the spacecraft and, for example, give a warning message insisting on aborting the mission due to safety requirements and inability to purge the air once the dust gets inside the compartment.

Preventing space suit problems

As mentioned above, the Lunar Dust caused significant wear and tear to the Apollo Spacesuits. The major problem the space suits had was the jamming up of joints and wearing away of seals, causing oxygen to leak out.

Our solution was to develop a "Sandwich system" which consisted of few layers of Kevlar on the outside, followed by a thick layer of liquid Aerogel and then another layer of Vectran. The Aerogel will essentially absorb all the Lunar dust which penetrated the first layer of Kevlar. This Aerogel can be serviced by a valves around the space suit. This can remove the Aerogel once it becomes “Dirty” with newer gel. The dirty gel can be filtered and re-used using a magnet system that will be mentioned later, which is much more economic and sustainable.

Also the use of Aerogel means that the suit will have better thermal insulation as well as more protection from space radiation.

Also, we have modified the Space Suit in such a way that the back side of the Space Suit, the Life Support system can be opened up. This will allow for Astronauts to externally dock with the lander, meaning very little space dust doesn’t enter the cabin.

Dust mitigation and Re-purposing.

Even if a small amount of dust enters the cabin, we have taken necessary precautions for removing it. Lunar dust consist of 14-18% Iron Oxide, meaning that the dust can be attracted magnetically.

Using a series of Electromagnets each with smaller and smaller gaps we have devised an air filteration system.

1. Contaminated air is pumped inside the system.
2. Air passes through the multiple electromagnetic filters of different sizes
3. Due to the Lunar dust’s magnetic property, the dust sticks to the filters
4. Clean air is pumped back into the cabin

Silicon dioxide, which is a major component of lunar dust and consists of around 44% of its components, can be harvested and separated from the dust and it can be used as a replacement for the Aerogel filing in the spacesuit. In addition, silica gel has similar properties and would be more sustainable than Aerogel.

The other component Iron, can be used to make repairs to the spacecraft and also build a space colony.

Getting back home

After conducting their experiment, the astronauts will make their way to the ascent module, and externally dock the Space Suit. The Ascent module will be blasted off to space, which will be joined with the Command Module orbiting above the moon. The transfer of Astronauts as well as experiments and equipment, from the Ascent Module to the Command Module will take place. The Ascent-Command Module structure will re-orient itself to a frozen orbit. Afterwards the Command module will detach and jettison back to Earth. The Ascent module containing the Space Suits will be left orbiting the moon. They could be re utilized by the next incoming mission, or else can be autonomously brought back after.

This ensures re-usability of the suits as well as quick and easy exchange of missions, since as one mission leaves, another can be scheduled to land back on the moon. This also allows the spacesuits to be serviced when in Moon orbit as well as being economically viable.

Sources

1. Apollo, the Lunar Dust and NASA's Dirty Problem.
2. The Chemical Reactivity of Lunar Dust Relevant to Human Exploration of the Moon.
3. MOON ELECTROSTATIC POTENTIAL AND DUST ANALYSER (MESDA) FOR FUTURE LUNAR MISSION.
4. Smart Dust and Sensory Swarms and OpenWSN
5. Smart Dust
6. Aerogel - Wikipedia
7. Vectran - Wikipedia
8. Stardust (spacecraft) - Wikipedia
9. Suitport - Wikipedia
10. From Apollo to Mars: The Evolution of Spacesuits
11. New Spacesuit System Could Repel Destructive Moon Dust
12. Bigelow Aerospace - Wikipedia
13. DUST MITIGATION: LUNAR AIR FILTRATION WITH A PERMANENT-MAGNET SYSTEM (LAF-PMS)
14. Lunar Gateway - Wikipedia
    

To access our presentation, click here. It's best to download the presentation and then view it, instead of viewing online, to gain the full experience.