← Back to NASA Technology Projects
Completed TRL 5 (started at 5, targeting 7)
The Electrostatics and Surface Physics Laboratory at Kennedy Space Center is developing a dust mitigation experiment and testing it on the lunar surface and on the International Space Station (ISS). The Electrodynamic Dust Shield (EDS) clears dust off surfaces and prevents accumulation by using a pattern of electrodes to generate a non-uniform electric field over the surface being protected. The EDS experiment will repel dust off materials such as painted Kapton and glass to demonstrate applications for thermal radiators, camera lenses, solar panels, and other hardware and equipment.
The EDS uses a pattern of electrodes to generate a "wavelike" electric field that pushes dust off surfaces. Dust particles in the vicinity of the EDS electrodes experience a dielectrophoretic force generated by the non-uniform electric field around the electrode grid. This dielectrophoretic force depends on the square of the electrostatic potential difference between adjacent electrodes and the inverse cube of the electrode geometric parameters, such as electrode separation. Thus, for a given force, a decrease in the electrode separation results in a substantial decrease in the voltage required to operate the EDS.
Two configurations will be tested: (1) copper electrodes on Kapton film adhered to an aluminum panel to simulate dust expulsion on thermal radiators and (2) transparent indium tin oxide electrodes on a glass panel to simulate use on optical equipement (i.e., camera lenses). Configurations 1 and 2 will be tested on ISS. Configuration 2 will also be mounted to the footpad of a commercial lander and tested on the lunar surface.
The EDS is considered the best non-contact active dust mitigation technology for space applications. Other technologies, such as piezoelectric-based vibrating membranes are not as effective at removing fine dust.
Dust control and removal from surfaces is of crucial importance for robotic missions to and asteroid, Mars, and the moon. Dust removal is needed for equipment to operate and for solar panels and radiators to operate efficiently. Controlled dust motion is required to bring regolith for sampling and to deliver regolith to science instruments.
Benefits as mentioned above.
Dust removal from optical systems for U.S. commercial space industry. Equipment operating in dusty environments such as the lunar or Martian surfaces.
Listed on TechPort itself — the most direct way to ask about this specific project.
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.
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.