Advanced modeling improves Gateway Lunar dust mitigation

Advanced modeling improves Gateway Lunar dust mitigation
by Clarence Oxford
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Jan 23, 2025

NASA's Artemis program is spearheading efforts to return humans to the Moon, establish a sustainable lunar presence, and pave the way for crewed missions to Mars. As part of this initiative, engineers are tackling the challenge of lunar dust, a substance known for its sharp, abrasive particles that adhere to spacesuits and disrupt equipment functionality.

Lunar dust emerged as a significant issue during the Apollo missions. With future missions expected to involve prolonged exposure to the Moon's surface, NASA is devising innovative approaches to safeguard equipment as astronauts transition between the lunar environment and spacecraft such as Gateway, the first lunar space station.

Unlike Apollo missions, which faced limited lunar dust exposure, Gateway will encounter the substance more frequently as the Human Landing System transports astronauts from the lunar South Pole region to the station. Each docking brings the potential for dust contamination within Gateway's environment, posing risks to scientific instruments, solar panels, robotic systems, and other essential components.

Josh Litofsky, the principal investigator and project manager for NASA's Gateway lunar dust adhesion testing campaign at the Johnson Space Center, is spearheading efforts to understand how lunar dust interacts with materials used in Gateway's construction.

"The particles are jagged from millions of years of micrometeoroid impacts, sticky due to chemical and electrical forces, and extremely small," Litofsky explained. "Even small amounts of lunar dust can have a big impact on equipment and systems."

Litofsky's research focuses on validating the Gateway On-orbit Lunar Dust Modeling and Analysis Program (GOLDMAP), a predictive tool created by Ronald Lee, also based at Johnson Space Center. GOLDMAP examines various factors, including Gateway's design, material composition, and the unique conditions of lunar orbit, to model how dust may behave and settle on the station's exterior.

Preliminary GOLDMAP simulations suggest that lunar dust can form clouds around Gateway, with larger particles adhering to exposed surfaces. These insights are instrumental in shaping strategies to shield Gateway from potential contamination.

The data generated by these studies and simulations will enable NASA to enhance Gateway's resilience, ensuring the station's viability throughout its operational lifetime during this new era of lunar exploration.

Moreover, the experience gained from managing lunar dust and other extreme environmental challenges through Gateway and the Artemis program will provide critical insights for NASA and its international partners as they prepare for deeper space missions.

Research Report:Overview of NASA Gateway Lunar Dust Mitigation and Contamination Modeling and Analysis