Lunar SCRUB: Lunar Surface Cleaning Robotic Unit with electron-Beam

Lunar regolith (dust) poses a critical challenge for equipment life due to its high abrasion and stickiness, leading to degradation of optical properties and extremely fast wear on mechanisms. Vertical Solar Array Technology (VSAT), in particular, will likely output significantly less power when inevitably covered in dust by nearby operations or landings. Orbital Mining Corporation (OMC) will develop a robotic arm-mountable non-contact cleaning apparatus, dubbed "Lunar SCRUB," tailored for removing Lunar regolith from solar panels, mechanical joints with complex geometry, radiator assemblies, and other applicable surfaces. Instead of a subject surface-integrated protective system, this solution uses an electron beam device developed by Space Dust Research and Technologies. It requires little electrical power and no consummables, offering a low cost, flexible dust removal solution for VSAT operations. The beam will be directable on a 2-axis rotation mechanism for complex angle cleaning. With phase 1 funding, OMC will test beam cleaning effectiveness on complex geometry, such as a mechanical arm's joint, seals, photovoltaic surface substrates, and radiator substrates in a relevant dusty vacuum environment. Lunar SCRUB will target primarily VSAT lifecycle cost improvements, but all surface operational equipment are included in the target market.

The Lunar SCRUB dust cleaning solution can remove dust from sensitive infrastructure/systems on the Lunar surface. This includes Vertical Solar Array Technology (VSATs), radiators, windows, sensors, astronaut suits, mechanical joints, and communications equipment. Non-NASA applications include use of this system on commercial Lunar systems that would include rovers, ISRU systems, habitats, etc.

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.

None of these are guaranteed paths for this specific project — TechPort itself doesn't have an "apply" button. Reaching out to the contact(s) above with a specific question is usually the fastest way to find out what's actually open.