Development of ultra-high fidelity simulated lunar dust, and any type of planetary/cosmic dusts, activated with metal-oxidative and biotoxic reactive species of oxygen (ROS) and chlorine (RCS)

Lunar dust is particularly toxic to astronauts, and corrosive to technological materials (mechanical, chemical, electrical) that will be transported on space missions to the Moon and Mars. The size of the micrograins of the simulated dust ranges from 10 nanometers to a few micrometers in size. They consist of glassy spherical melts and agglutinates, and angular pieces. They are electrically charged and make up part of the Moon’s exosphere since they remain suspended for a long time due to their electrical charge. The electrical charge causes the dust to coat every surface evenly, limiting the optical performance of optical lenses and instruments with optical lenses, or preventing the operation of electronic devices etc.

The biotoxicity and corrosiveness of lunar dust is considered by major space agencies, such as NASA and ESA, as the biggest problem for any manned or not mission to the Moon.

Indicative space applications and services

In various commercial space applications, the type and quantity in ROS and RCS of the simulated dust will be certified, the dust will be used for the calibration of specific sensors and other relevant instruments, it will be used for the development of methods for neutralizing the corrosiveness and biotoxicity of Lunar and Martian dust in space mission simulations (such as the biotoxic effect of various types of cosmic dust on biological materials, in biotoxicity studies in astronauts, etc.).

Certification and protocols for preserving the physical oxidative activity (in ROS and RCS) of dust samples that will be transported from Mars and the Moon to Earth with space missions (Sample Return Missions).