NASA Science Payload to Study Sticky Lunar Dust Challenge – NASA

The Moon may look like barren rock, but it’s actually covered in a layer of gravel, pebbles, and dust collectively known as “lunar regolith.” During the Apollo Moon Missionsthe astronauts learned firsthand that the fine, powdery dust—electromagnetically charged by the constant bombardment of solar and cosmic particles—is highly abrasive and sticks to everything: gloves, shoes, vehicles, and Mechanical equipment. What challenges does that dust pose for the future? ArtemisFar-off missions to establish long-term outposts on the lunar surface?

That’s the work of an advanced scientific instrument called RAC-1 (Regolith Adherence Characterization), one of 10 NASA payloads launched by the agency’s CLPS (Commercial Lunar Payload Services) initiative and ready to be taken to the surface by Firefly Aerospace. Blue Ghost 1 Lunar Lander.

Manufactured by Aegis Aerospace of Webster, Texas, RAC 15 will expose sample materials — clothing, paint coatings, optical systems, sensors, solar cells, and more — to the lunar environment to determine how strongly lunar dust sticks to each. The instrument will measure deposition rates during landing and subsequent normal lander operations, helping to identify materials that best absorb or repel dust. This data will help NASA and its industry partners more effectively test, upgrade and protect spacecraft, spacesuits, habitats and equipment in preparation for continued lunar exploration. The Artemis campaign.

“The moon is a sticky challenge for long-duration missions to the regolith surface,” said Dennis Harris, who manages the RAC payload for NASA’s CLPS initiative at the agency’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. “Dust gets into gears, sticks to spacesuits, and can block optical properties. RAC will help determine the best materials and fabrics with which to build, stronger, more durable hardware, products and Goods are to be provided.

Under the CLPS model, NASA is investing in commercial lunar launch services to enable industry growth and support long-term lunar exploration. As a primary customer for CLPS deliveries, NASA aims to be one of many customers on future flights. NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama manages the development of seven of the 10 CLPS payloads to be carried on Firefly’s Blue Ghost lunar lander.

Learn more about On CLPS and Artemis:

https://www.nasa.gov/clps

Alice Fisher
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-2546
Alise.m.fisher@nasa.gov

Headquarters, Washington

202-358-2546

Alise.m.fisher@nasa.gov

Corinne Beckinger
Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, Ala.
256-544-0034
corinne.m.beckinger@nasa.gov