The DEAR project (Dusty Environment Application and Research) provides a setup to systematically and parameterized study of materials, mechanisms, optics, robotic systems in dustry / regolith environments like on the lunar surface.
In preparation of exploration in this harsh environment it is necessary to investigate the interaction of dust with surfaces, penetration risk, negative impact on performance and evaluate mitigation and removal strategies. The sharp edge, charged fine dust on the moon is seen as the biggest challenges for future moon applications.
Accumulated particles can create short circuits on electronics, stray light effects, or transmission losses on optical and solar cells and decrease emissivity of thermal hardware. Astronauts collect dust on their space suits which causes serious risk on air lock-, space suit sealing and dust spread in the habitat itself. Major health risk is triggered by inhaling the particles to human lungs.
The DEAR project focus on the following three key aspects
1) Variation of different regolith simulant compositions. (different landing site composites or focus on effect of key parameter like size, shape, chemical composition)
2) DEAR box chamber to study static and robotic short term and long term effects (astronaut suit material, sealings, gear boxes)
3) Electrode structure for removal and transport of regolith
With the operation in ambient controlled conditions the focus of DEAR is the parametric approach, fast access and standardized data analysis and interpretations. Different parameters can be scanned quick and the root cause of findings can be extracted. Examples will be shown from tests with Space suite regolith operations risk evaluation. Also the way to and the results for the AC electrode dust removal development will be shown. The DEAR project was partially funded by ESA and OHB and is listed as test capability for regolith interaction testing.