Flight Opportunities
Three-Dimensional Plume-Surface Interaction and Crater Formation Dynamic Measurements in Reduced Gravity Environments
Project Description
The Three-Dimensional Plume-Surface Interaction and Crater Formation Dynamic Measurements experiment will study plume-surface interaction (PSI) in reduced and lunar gravity conditions. Future landings on the Moon pose significant risk because the high-velocity retrorocket exhaust plume disturbs the surface regolith during approach and landing, resulting in cratering, severe lunar dust blowing, and particle ejecting. These flight tests aim to gather data under realistic conditions to better understand the underlying physics and to determine scaling laws of PSI in reduced gravity verses 1 g conditions on Earth.
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Anticipated Benefits
Lunar dust poses a significant risk to future Moon landings because of potential damage to hardware by blowing dust and debris. The Three-Dimensional Plume-Surface Interaction (PSI) and Crater Formation Dynamic Measurements project uses novel, non-intrusive stereo imaging to analyze the time-resolved, 3D crater formation process in a reduced and lunar gravity environment. Flight tests aim to determine the reduced-gravity environment PSI scaling laws needed to mitigate dust-related risks. This effort will improve the modeling accuracy for these processes. This has the potential to benefit NASA lunar missions and the commercial space industry.
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Primary U.S. Work Locations and Key Partners
| Organizations Performing Work | Role | Type | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn University | Lead Organization | Academia | Auburn, Alabama |
Primary U.S. Work Locations
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Alabama
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