Lunar Dust Filter for Spacecraft Atmospheres

Dust poses unique challenges in space missions. This proposal addresses the development of an advanced self-cleaning staged dust filter for spacecraft air purification in cabin and airlock chambers. This technology is compact and autonomous, has low power requirement and is effective for various types of dust including the particulate matter derived from materials, ECLSS and other processes, and biological matter and debris generated by the crew, and lunar dust intrusion. Phase I research focuses on the design, construction and testing to determine the feasibility of this system in filtering simulated dust from air at atmospheric pressure.

The primary intended application of the proposed filter is in the purification of air in the pressurized compartments of the spacecraft in lunar mission. The secondary NASA application is the extension of this technique to other systems like the dust filtration in the ISS and collection of carbon particles and hydrocarbon dust in the NASA Environmental Control and Life Support.

BlazeTech’s filter technology can be extended to other applications where filtration without significant use of manpower is a priority. Examples include filtration of sand from gas streams that enter the engine compartments in helicopters and aircraft, and separation of fine particulate contaminants from emissions from chemical process industry and smoke-stacks in power plants.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 4) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

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