The European Duster Project studies the properties of lunar dust, which poses a serious risk to both astronauts and space instruments. How will research benefit the space industry?
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European project Duster studies the properties of lunar dust as it poses a serious danger to both astronauts As for space instruments. The aim of the research is to try to minimize its impact, which can be taken as a challenge Astrophysical Institute of Andalusia (IAA-CSIC).
Accordingly, the Spanish center participating in the project DusterDesigned to study charged dust particles of lunar origin Those conditional trips to the Moon and other asteroids.
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Funded by the International Science and Engineering Council, project The European Union's HORIZON is looking for a solution to this lunar dust causing environmental limitations during exploration missions Also, it is dangerous to humans.
Likewise, the research team will provide IAA-CSIC The project's evolution from the funding team to external experts and reviewers this week demonstrates that “the effects of lunar dust on external activity systems can take many forms,” the researcher explains. Astrophysical Institute of Andalusia (Southern Spain) Olga Muñoz, Who participates in the program?
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Additionally, Muñoz explains that dust can obscure external vision, create false readings, cause obstructions and loss of traction on tools.But it is also responsible for abrasion, thermal control problems, and failures in mechanical joints.
“One of the most serious consequences is compromise Health of astronauts due to irritation and inhalation of lunar dust“Especially if longer exposure times become the norm during future studies with humans,” the researcher adds.
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In this context, it is essential Characterizing the properties of dust particles present at study sites and their transport mechanisms Aim to implement effective mitigation techniques Duster.
The plan is objective Development of instrumentation and techniques for 'in situ' analysis of electrical charge and transport of these dust particlesThe researcher advances IAA-CSIC Coordinating the Centre's contribution to the programme, Julius Rodriguez.
Additionally, programming includes Creating a ground test facility to validate the instrument, Experimental data will be used to refine and improve existing dust loading and transport models.
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On the other hand, experts from IAA-CSIC Those responsible for the implementation of the instrument already developed and the design of the electronics box in which the control cards are placed, join the electronics according to the three studies developed. Royal Belgian Institute of Space Aeronomy (BIRA-IASB), and power supply, from TAS-E.
Finally, the IAA-CSIC said it will design the control card's hardware, firmware and software and instrument implementation and develop a communications simulator Spacecraft or Landing with DUSTER instrumentSending telecommunications and receiving telemetry.
