In-Situ Ice Plume and Dust Detector Validation for Moon to Mars

This project aims to mature the in-house Exploration Payload Particle Ice Counter (EPPIC) from TRL 4 to TRL 5 by testing its ability to characterize dust particles and plumes traveling at 0.1-2000 m/s at conditions bracketing Moon and Mars environments, generated using the GSFC's Particle Impact and Plume Simulator (PIPS). EPPIC quantifies particle flux, size distribution, and dynamics, directly supporting Moon-to-Mars (M2M) objectives LPS-2LM and AS-1LM [1] and indirectly supporting architectural gap IDs ESDMD #802 (Mars dust), #801 (lunar dust), and #304 (atmospheric particulates) [2], making it a prime payload candidate for commercial lander/rover services (e.g. CLPS).

Creates laboratory-generated ice grain analogs for hypervelocity impact studies; Enables mass spectrometry analysis of ice particle impacts for ocean world missions; Develops EPPIC system for controlled ice particle production and characterization

This is a mature technology (TRL 7+) — the realistic path in is usually NASA's Technology Transfer Program: licensing an existing NASA patent, or a Space Act Agreement to use NASA facilities/expertise directly. NASA also runs a startup licensing program with no upfront fee for companies formed to commercialize a specific NASA technology.

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