NASA/TM−2020-5008219 NESC-RP-19-01469 Lunar Dust and Its Impact on Human Exploration: A NASA Engineering and Safety Center (NESC) Workshop Daniel Winterhalter (retired) Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California Joel S. Levine (retired) Langley Research Center, Hampton, Virginia Russell L. Kerschmann (retired) Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, California Timothy K. Brady/NESC Langley Research Center, Hampton, Virginia September 2020 NASA STI Program . in Profile Since its founding, NASA has been dedicated to the • CONFERENCE PUBLICATION. advancement of aeronautics and space science. The Collected papers from scientific and NASA scientific and technical information (STI) technical conferences, symposia, seminars, program plays a key part in helping NASA maintain or other meetings sponsored or this important role. co-sponsored by NASA. The NASA STI program operates under the • SPECIAL PUBLICATION. 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Brady/NESC Langley Research Center, Hampton, Virginia National Aeronautics and Space Administration Langley Research Center Hampton, Virginia 23681-2199 September 2020 The use of trademarks or names of manufacturers in the report is for accurate reporting and does not constitute an official endorsement, either expressed or implied, of such products or manufacturers by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Available from: NASA STI Program / Mail Stop 148 NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA 23681-2199 Fax: 757-864-6500 NASA Engineering and Safety Center Technical Assessment Report Lunar Dust and Its Impact on Human Exploration: A NASA Engineering and Safety Center (NESC) Workshop September 24, 2020 NESC Document #: NESC-RP-19-01469 Page #: 1 of 40 Report Approval and Revision History NOTE: This document was approved at the September 24, 2020, NRB. This document was submitted to the NESC Director on September 25, 2020, for configuration control. Approved: Original Signature on File 9/28/20 NESC Director Date Office of Primary Version Description of Revision Effective Date Responsibility 1.0 Initial Release Tim Brady, NESC 9/24/2020 Integration Office, JSC NESC Document #: NESC-RP-19-01469 Page #: 2 of 40 Table of Contents 1.0 Notification and Authorization ..................................................................................................... 4 2.0 Signature Page ................................................................................................................................ 5 3.0 Team List ........................................................................................................................................ 6 4.0 Executive Summary ....................................................................................................................... 7 5.0 Workshop Motivation and Description........................................................................................ 9 6.0 Panel Discussion-Point Summaries ............................................................................................ 10 6.1 Lunar Dust: Structure, Composition, Chemistry and Distribution - Panel 1 .................... 10 6.1.1 The Origin of Lunar Dust Particles ................................................................................... 10 6.1.2 Sources of Information About Lunar Dust ....................................................................... 11 6.1.3 Gaps in our Current Knowledge of Lunar Dust ................................................................ 11 6.2 The Impact of Lunar Dust on Human Health - Panel 2 .................................................... 12 6.2.1 Panel Summary ................................................................................................................. 12 6.2.2 Toxicologically Relevant Features of Lunar Dust ............................................................ 13 6.2.3 Lessons Learned from Apollo ........................................................................................... 14 6.2.4 Apollo Post-Mission Quarantine Biohazard and Toxicity Testing ................................... 17 6.2.5 Special Cases of Respirable Particles: Lunar Nanoparticles and Volcanic Spheroidal Dusts ................................................................................................................................. 18 6.2.6 Toxicologically Relevant Simulants ................................................................................. 19 6.2.7 The LADTAG: A Historical Summary ............................................................................. 19 6.3 The Impact of Lunar Dust on Surface Mechanical Systems and Surface Operations - Panel 3 .......................................................................................................... 20 6.3.1 Summary ........................................................................................................................... 20 6.3.2 An Integrated Approach to Dust Management ................................................................. 20 6.3.3 How Much More Must Be Known About Dust? .............................................................. 22 6.3.4 What Types of Mechanical Systems and Operational Scenarios are Envisioned in the Lunar Environment? ......................................................................................................... 23 6.3.5 What is the Appropriate Set of Development and Qualification Tests Necessary for the Demonstration of Successful Mechanical Systems Operations in the Lunar Dust Environment? ........................................................................................................... 25 7.0 Findings, Observations, and NESC Recommendations............................................................ 25 7.1 Findings ............................................................................................................................ 26 7.2 Observations ..................................................................................................................... 28 7.3 NESC Recommendations ................................................................................................. 30 8.0 Alternative Viewpoint(s) ............................................................................................................. 32 9.0 Other Deliverables ....................................................................................................................... 32 10.0 Recommendations for NASA Standards and Specifications .................................................... 32 11.0 Acronyms List .............................................................................................................................. 33 12.0 References ..................................................................................................................................... 34 Appendices ................................................................................................................................................. 37 Appendix A. 2020 Lunar Dust Workshop Participants