NASA Supports Making Moon Dust Measuring Tools

The appearance of the Apollo 17 crew collecting lunar dust (photo: dock. NASA)

JAKARTA Before flying four of its astronauts to the Moon, NASA needs to develop technology that can combat pollution problems there. The reason is, lunar dust is very dangerous for astronauts.

Unlike particles on Earth, lunar dust or commonly called regolits are abrasive and easily attached to any object. This dust is the biggest challenge for Apollo crews because of its very bad effects on health and can disrupt exploration.

Astronaut Harrison Schmitt, an Apollo 17 crew who had already visited the Moon, expressed a reaction when he accidentally breathed lunar dust. Referred to as a strain fever, the effect of the regolite will make the eyes run water, sneezing, and sore throats.

Even though it is missing, these symptoms are very worrying for humans. Not only that, the browsing process can also be hampered because the dust will limit hardware performance. Therefore, NASA supports the creation of systems that can protect astronauts for the Artemis mission.

Lunar Outpost, a special aerospace startup for autonomous robotic systems, will assist NASA in developing the system. Joining as a contributor to NASA's Next Space Technologies for Exploration Partnerships (NextSTEP) program, Lunar Outpost will create an air quality sensor system.

"The company headquartered in Denver, Golden, Colorado is developing an air quality sensor called Space Canary and offering the sensor to Lockheed Martin Space for the prototype of NextSTEP lunar orbit habitat," NASA said.

If the Lunar Outpost device is completed and integrated into the habitat control system, this device will provide many advantages. Space Canary, will detect and measure the amount of lunar soil in the air, as well as detect pollutants on Earth.

"This censorship now meets the need for low-cost air quality monitoring and wireless meteorology on Earth," NASA explained. "This unit can measure various pollutants, including particles, carbon monoxide, methane, sulfur dioxide, and volatile organic compounds, and others."