Abstract Significant experimental and computational investigations have explored the feasibility of electrostatically-motivated dust motion on the lunar surface. The motion of lunar dust influences our understanding of the evolution of the surface and may also present a hazard to future exploration vehicles and astronauts. The possibility of a sustained exploration presence on the lunar surface opens the door to long-term experiments on the lunar surface, akin to the science facilities on the International Space Station. We have identified four measurements/observations that would significantly advance our understanding of dust-plasma interactions on the lunar surface. In this context, we provide conceptual designs for payloads to obtain these observations: a Langmuir probe, dust deposit witness plate, regolith charge measurement instrument, and cameras to look for evidence of horizon glow. These payloads could deploy independently and sequentially, or together as a suite. The proposed payloads would provide key observations that would inform future modeling efforts and direct future in situ experiments to understand the dust-plasma environment, both for planetary science and spacecraft design applications.

    Highlights A suite of instruments to investigate dust-plasma interactions on the lunar surface are described. A Langmuir probe to characterize the near-surface plasma environment is described. Methods and challenges in measuring regolith electric charge are presented. A dust coupon payload is described to characterize dust flux on surfaces. Modern cameras to observe the lunar horizon glow are described.


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    Titel :

    Payload concepts for investigations of electrostatic dust motion on the lunar surface


    Beteiligte:

    Erschienen in:

    Acta Astronautica ; 207 ; 89-105


    Erscheinungsdatum :

    2023-02-21


    Format / Umfang :

    17 pages




    Medientyp :

    Aufsatz (Zeitschrift)


    Format :

    Elektronische Ressource


    Sprache :

    Englisch




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