Electrodynamic Dust Shield for Active Dust Mitigation of Thermal Radiators

Thermal radiators are used to remove heat from various systems, including cryogenic systems. Dust is known to coat surfaces and will act as a black body that makes it difficult for thermal radiators to disperse heat. There is a need to develop technology that will clear dust from thermal radiators on the Moon and Mars. This proposal seeks to improve the application of the electrodynamic dust shield (EDS) technology on thermal radiators by incorporating Solar White and a limited number of other thermal rejection coatings of interest. Characterization of the performance in dust removal and thermal performance will be conducted.

The EDS will help to remove dust from the top of the coating. This capability will greatly reduce the chances of mission failure caused by overheating. It is necessary to remove the dust for long-duration missions that have the greatest chance of failure due to dust accumulation and adhesion to the radiators’ surface. This proposal will help to directly enable the success of Lunar and Martian missions such as the Lunar Pressurized Rover, the Mars Pressurized Rover, and the Mars Long Duration Surface Habitat. It will enhance the chances of mission success for the Lunar Fission Surface Power mission, Foundation Surface Habitat, and Mars Ascent Stage

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