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Completed TRL 5 (started at 3, targeting 6)
This project will develop a ground prototype of a handheld static ionizer tool for astronauts to remove dust and neutralize electrostatic charge from materials in a lunar environment. This tool will be similar to a commercially available static ionizer gun with miniaturization and portability. The tool will measure electrostatic charge on a target surface to be cleaned and tailor an output high voltage waveform to produce a plasma from a compressed consumable gas pulse to remove dust & charge.
Dust accumulation during the Apollo mission was well-known to cause several adverse effects throughout the missions. As a result, the “dust problem” has been identified as being one of the top two necessary technology needs to overcome for extended long-term human presence on the moon as defined during the Constellation Program. To date, the only known attempt to remove dust from suits and equipment was the use of brushes which faired quite poorly in the lunar environment.
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This is early/mid-stage (TRL 5) — 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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