Short Title:
Lunar Dust - Geology
Responsible HRP Element:
Space Human Factors and Habitability
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Collaborating Org(s):
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| Astromaterials Research and Exploration Science (ARES) |
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Funding Status:
Completed - Task completed and produced a deliverable
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Procurement Mechanism(s):
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Aims:
- Secure from the Curator and Planning Team for Extraterrestrial Materials (CAPTEM) samples of lunar dust.
- Develop a dry method for separating respirable size particles from the samples of authentic native dust.
- Develop a protocol for producing respirable size particles by grinding courser lunar dust
- Determine mass median aerodynamic diameters and mineralogy of the respirable lunar dust samples.
All aims have been realized. Bulk samples of lunar dust were obtained from CAPTEM and respirable size particles of native lunar dust were separated using a new pneumatic technique developed by the Geology Team. This technique was used to separate additional respirable particles from coarse lunar dust, which had been reduced by grinding. Mass median aerodynamic diameter of separated particles were measured with particle sizers and confirmed to be in the respirable range. Respirable particles were utilized in studies with rodents that assessed the toxicity of the lunar dusts. The studies addressed the gap “What is the toxicity of lunar dust in respiratory system".
Category:
Risk Characterization, Quantification
Subcategory:
Evidence or Risk Characterization
Description:
The deliverables include securing samples of authentic lunar dusts from CAPTEM, development of appropriate methods for separating respirable size particles from the samples of authentic native dust and developing protocols for producing additional respirable size particles required by toxicology and chemistry studies by grinding courser lunar dust by a method that will serve as a good fidelity analog for the commutation that produces dust on the surface of the moon. This task also includes characterizations of the size distribution, morphology, and mineralogy of lunar dust samples.
Internal Customers:
Space Human Factors and Habitability
External Customers:
None