Electrostatic Cleaning Device for Removing Lunar Dust Adhered to Spacesuits

The removal of lunar dust adhered to an astronaut's spacesuit is critical for long-term lunar exploration. The author is developing a cleaning device that utilizes electrostatic force; this system employs a combination of electrostatic capture and electrostatic transport of dust. High voltage is applied between a screen electrode and an aluminum film deposited on a Mylar sheet positioned under the surface fabric of the spacesuit. By means of electrostatic force, dust adhered to the fabric is captured at the screen electrode of the device. The captured dust is then transported by an electrostatic traveling wave and transferred to a collection bag. The capture rate increased with the amount of dust adhered to the fabric and reached a value of 82%. Although small particles trapped between fabric fibers were difficult to remove, this system should be used in preliminary cleaning of spacesuits, saving valuable time for astronauts on the Moon. DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)AS.1943-5525.0000143. (C) 2012 American Society of Civil Engineers.