Investigating the Feasibility of Utilizing Carbon Nanotube Fibers for Spacesuit Dust Mitigation
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Historical data from the Apollo missions has compelled NASA to identify dust mitigation of spacesuits and other components as a critical path prior to sending humans on potential future lunar exploration missions. Several studies thus far have proposed passive and active countermeasures to address this challenge. However, these technologies have been primarily developed and proven for rigid surfaces such as solar cells and thermal radiators. Integration of these technologies for spacesuit dust mitigation has remained an open challenge due to the complexity of suit design. Current research investigates novel methods to enhance integration of the Electrodynamic Dust Shield (EDS) concept for spacesuits. We leverage previously proven EDS concept developed by NASA for rigid surfaces and apply new techniques to integrate the technology into spacesuits to mitigate dust contamination. The study specifically examines the feasibility of utilizing Carbon Nanotube(CNT) yarns manufactured by Rice University as electrodes in spacesuit material. Proof of concept testing was conducted at NASA Kennedy Space Center using lunar regolith simulant to understand the feasibility of the proposed techniques for spacesuit application. Results from the experiments are detailed in this paper. Potential challenges of applying this technology for spacesuits are also identified.
Description
University of North Dakota
The Boeing Company
NASA Glenn Research Center
Rice University
NASA Kennedy Space Center
400
ICES400: Extravehicular Activity: Space Suits
Vienna, Austria
Kavya K. Manyapu, University of North Dakota, USA
Pablo de León, University of North Dakota, USA
Leora Peltz, The Boeing Company, USA
Dmitri Tsentalovich, Rice University, USA
James R.Gaier, NASA Glenn Research Center, USA
Carlos Calle, NASA Kennedy Space Center, USA
Paul Mackey, NASA Kennedy Space Center, USA
The 46th International Conference on Environmental Systems was held in Vienna, Austria, USA on 10 July 2016 through 14 July 2016.