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Completed TRL 2 (started at 2, targeting 3)
As NASA embarks on a new chapter in space exploration and establishing a presence outside of Earth, potential issues identified during the Apollo missions will need to be addressed. One issue is that of lunar dust and its interaction with the plume of a retro-propulsion engine such as the one used during a lunar lander’s descent. The crater formed by this interaction poses a risk of causing an unstable landing ground. Liberated particles from this interaction, commonly known as ejecta, create a fog around the lander making it nearly impossible to see the landing site or use optical equipment. Larger ejecta can even damage sensitive equipment. This issue is commonly referred to as Plume-Surface Interaction (PSI). Although PSI is an actively researched topic, many past and current experimental designs have not reproduced the intense thermal gradient created by the 1800 K exhaust temperature of a rocket engine onto a lunar surface of only 250 K or less. But this temperature gradient is of paramount importance since it could lead to phenomena such as thermophoresis (a force pushing particles towards colder regions) and an increase in the cohesion between particles, which could decrease the likelihood of ejecta formation and affect crater formation behavior. I intend to develop the technology necessary to fill this gap and create potential mitigation strategies. To accomplish this, I propose the following objectives: i) Design and build an experimental setup to effectively control gas properties, thermal gradient, and more ii) Develop the necessary diagnostics for high-speed 3D particle tracking, ultra-high-speed acquisition of particles during incipient motion, and data acquisition of temperature and thermal gradients throughout the setup, and iii) systematic adjustment of a wide range of flow and particle characteristics to better predict ejecta dynamics and crater formation and create mitigation strategies for these effects.
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This is early/mid-stage (TRL 2) — 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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