Master's Thesis Defense

Francesco Maria Isidori Pacelli

(Advisor: Prof. Álvaro Romero-Calvo)

"Flexible Electrodynamic Dust Shields for Lunar Missions"

Wednesday, December 4

2:00 p.m.

Montgomery Knight 317

Abstract 

With the ARTEMIS program marking humanity’s return to the Moon, the establishment of a stable lunar colony demands solutions to the critical challenges posed by lunar dust. These challenges include toxic inhalation, reduced eCiciency of solar panels, mechanical impairments to spacesuits, and accelerated wear on equipment. Among the most promising technologies to address these issues is the Electrodynamic Dust Shield (EDS), which generates traveling waves to remove dust particles. Since the development of the EDS concept in the 1970s, most eCorts have focused on rigid devices. However, the renewed interest in long-term space exploration necessitates more complex and adaptive solutions. Flexible EDS represents a significant advancement in this field, oCering advantages such as adaptability to complex surfaces, lightweight design, and better integration with dynamic environments. Flexible EDS devices can be integrated into spacesuits to protect astronauts while accommodating their movements. They can also be mounted on rovers, hubs, and landers to shield equipment from abrasion and assist with thermal control. Additionally, optical lenses, windows, and solar panels can benefit from this technology, ensuring functionality and longevity throughout a mission. This thesis advances the knowledge of flexible EDS through the crafting and testing of shields made of reduced graphene oxide on transparent substrates (in two-phase and three-phase configurations) and cost-eCective polyimide-copper for non-transparent applications. Both spiral and interdigitated electrode patterns are tested across a wide range of voltages in a lunar simulated environment under vacuum conditions and with the inclusion of the photoelectric eCect using a VUV lamp. The performance of the devices is evaluated in dynamic dusting and dust-covered conditions, assessing their eCectiveness in shielding from incoming particles and repelling pre-existing ones. Microscopic analysis of the devices is conducted to characterize the residual dust particle size after the experiments. Furthermore, voltage and electric field simulations were performed to predict experimental outcomes and analyze the eCects of electrode curvature on device performance. These results contribute new insights into the implementation of flexible EDS, paving the way for practical applications in lunar exploration and beyond. 

Committee 

• Prof. Álvaro Romero-Calvo – School of Aerospace Engineering 

• Prof. Masatoshi Hirabayashi - School of Aerospace Engineering 

• Dr. Micah J. Schaible – Planetary Magnetospheres Group (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center