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Description
As humanity ventures towards prolonged lunar habitation and exploration, the management of lunar dust contamination within manned modules emerges as a critical concern. Lunar dust, characterized by its abrasive nature and electrostatic properties, poses multifaceted challenges to both human health and equipment integrity. This paper explores the strategy and challenges associated with controlling lunar dust contamination for I-Hab, the Gateway International habitat.
Key strategies for lunar dust contamination control encompass both proactive and reactive measures. Proactively, implementing dust-resistant materials and defining operational constraints can minimize dust entry into modules. Additionally, employing robust filtration systems and establishing strict decontamination protocols for spacesuits and equipment can mitigate internal dust accumulation. Reactively, developing efficient cleaning technologies, such as electrostatic dust removal systems and adhesive-based cleaning mechanisms, proves essential for maintaining habitable conditions within modules.
However, several challenges persist in the effective management of lunar dust contamination. The fine, abrasive nature of lunar dust necessitates the development of durable and resilient materials capable of withstanding its erosive effects over prolonged periods.
Landers, rovers and habitable modules are designed to properly work for a lifetime that ranges from days to 15 years of operations. This paper deals with the approach which was used to define criticality of internal and external sensitive items, together with possible mitigations and verification methods. Dust testing was proposed for materials characterization and design consolidation of non-maintainable items. TAS facilities are herein presented, as well as test definition approach and results.
