Masten Space System Develops Safer Moon Landing Technique For Landing Rockets

JAKARTA - A company called Masten Space Systems is currently working on a technique that would allow lunar landers to create their own emergency landing pads. Such a system would prevent regolith interference, which sends particles into the air that could cause mechanical problems in lunar devices.

Developing a technique that would allow a lunar lander to create a hard, debris-free surface is a formidable challenge, but pulling it off could mean easier missions to the Moon in the future.

Regolith is dusty loose material on the surface of the Moon. Over time, meteoroids and debris pound the lunar surface into a fine powder, which can find its way into the lunar engine.

During the Apollo missions, regolith on the surface harmed the life of the equipment. The experiment that remained on the surface after the team left was threatened with extinction due to floating debris. Not only that, the regolith becomes deadly if it is sent at high speed by the spaceship's engine.

To address this, the team at Masten Space Systems is developing a system called FAST, according to a report from the company. The In-Flight Alumina Spray Technique will begin as soon as the lunar lander begins its landing sequence.

As the lander descends, the alumina ceramic particles mix with the rocket's exhaust, forcing the spray onto the surface that coats and thickens the lunar regolith. The surface then hardens into a landing pad that is resistant to heavier ablation and more heat.

While still a concept, the team has conducted extensive testing on Earth. This includes studying how the particles hold on during the journey and whether or not they can maintain their shape during takeoff.

To build a landing pad, NASA needs to send a lander capable of construction. Whether manned or unmanned, the vehicle would then need to build a landing pad for future lunar missions.

Unfortunately, this approach would cost about $120 million per attempt, based on estimates. Using FAST, a simple but effective landing chamber can be built up during landing and used again for takeoff, assuming it works as intended.

Future lunar missions may include heavy and powerful hardware, meaning if this technique is applied, it will have to meet the needs of this mission. According to Masten, FAST was able to create 20-foot diameter alumina bearing in 10 seconds before landing.

After placing the bearing, it only takes 2.5 seconds for the bearing to cool down. That's really very impressive if proven true. Hopefully, future lunar missions will be able to leverage this technology to reduce regolith disturbance on the lunar surface and keep space and lunar surface and space damage to a minimum.