Surface Engineering Polymeric Materials Towards Lunar Dust Mitigation

Abstract

ASCEND – October 23-25, 2023, Las Vegas, Nevada Surface Engineering Polymeric Materials Towards Lunar Dust Mitigation Keith L. Gordon1, Lopamudra Das2, Glen C. King1, Valerie L. Wiesner1, Jonathan J. Hernandez2, and Christopher J. Wohl1 1 NASA Langley Research Center, Hampton, Virginia, 23681, USA 2 National Institute of Aerospace, Hampton, Virginia, 23666, USA Keywords: lunar dust, polymers, charge dissipative, passive dust adhesion mitigation coatings NASA seeks to develop technologies to mitigate dust accumulation from planetary surfaces on robotic and human systems hardware during planned space exploration missions. With a return to the Lunar surface, lunar dust threatens the durability and reusability of components and vehicles due to its fine, jagged morphology and highly abrasive nature. Lunar dust consists of particles less than 60 µm in size that are chemically reactive, electrostatically and sometimes magnetically charged. Unique materials and technologies that reduce or mitigate lunar dust adhesion will be critical to support long duration missions and eventual sustained presence on the lunar surface. In this report, current efforts at NASA Langley Research Center identify and characterize polymeric materials applicable for lunar dust mitigation will be discussed.