NASA's Artemis Moon Astronauts May Wear Electric Field Spacesuits to Fight Pesky Lunar Dust.
Lunar dust is a major problem for astronauts. It is very fine and abrasive, and it can get into everything, from spacesuits to equipment. During the Apollo missions, astronauts found that lunar dust was difficult to remove and caused a number of problems, including:
- Abrasive damage to spacesuits and equipment
- Respiratory problems for astronauts
- Electrical shorts and malfunctions
- Contamination of scientific samples
NASA is developing a new type of spacesuit for the Artemis program that could help to mitigate the effects of lunar dust. The spacesuit fabric will use electrostatic forces to repel dust particles.
The technology, called LiqMEST (Liquid Metal Electrostatic Protective Textile), is being developed at Hawai'i Pacific University. The fabric contains a thin layer of liquid metal that can be used to create an electric field. When the electric field is turned on, it creates a repulsive force that pushes dust particles away from the fabric.
LiqMEST is still in the early stages of development, but it has the potential to revolutionize spacesuit design. If it is successful, it could help to keep Artemis astronauts safe from the harmful effects of lunar dust.
Benefits of electric field spacesuits
Electric field spacesuits offer a number of benefits over traditional spacesuits, including:
- Reduced dust contamination: Electric field spacesuits can help to reduce dust contamination by repelling dust particles away from the fabric. This could help to protect astronauts from respiratory problems, electrical shorts, and contamination of scientific samples.
- Increased durability: Electric field spacesuits are more durable than traditional spacesuits because they are made of a flexible, stretchable fabric. This could help to reduce the risk of damage to the spacesuit during missions.
- Reduced weight: Electric field spacesuits are lighter than traditional spacesuits because they do not require heavy dust seals. This could help to reduce the burden on astronauts and make it easier for them to move around.
Challenges of electric field spacesuits
One of the biggest challenges facing electric field spacesuits is power consumption. The electric field must be constantly powered in order to repel dust particles. This could be a problem for long-duration missions, where astronauts may not have access to a reliable power source.
Another challenge is the durability of the liquid metal layer. The liquid metal must be protected from damage, or it could leak and cause electrical shorts.
Despite these challenges, electric field spacesuits have the potential to revolutionize spacesuit design. If they are successful, they could help to keep Artemis astronauts safe from the harmful effects of lunar dust and make it possible for them to explore the Moon more fully.