Method for electrostatic dust deposition in vacuum experimentation for Lunar dust mitigation testing

Lunar dust is a primary barrier to a long-term sustained presence on the lunar surface. As a result, several novel technologies to ease the burden of dust have been developed. These must be tested in simulated conditions, where mechanical deposition methods currently dominate the literature and test methodologies. These techniques, whilst functional, are complex, contain several moving parts and deposit dual charged particles whereas natural dust levitation on the lunar surface results in a single charge. To address these limitations, the electrostatic catapult (EC) was developed to electrostatically launch particles within vacuum environments at a target surface. This early technology development contains no moving parts and can largely separate out like-charges giving a more ‘natural’, realistic, and controlled deposition method as opposed to traditional mechanical means. The EC works by generating a strong electrostatic field between two surfaces, and particles within a powder or simulant are accelerated by the generated field and consequently launched towards a target area. The EC’s functions were tested within atmosphere and vacuum conditions using alumina powder. The results demonstrated that the device was able to electrostatically launch alumina particles at a target surface in atmospheric and vacuum conditions, separating out particle charge polarity and dispersing particles across a target surface and area. This research demonstrates a new method for particle depositions within a vacuum and atmospheric environments and is intended to be adapted by other researchers to suit their project requirements. We expect this method to be useful for surface testing, electrostatic methods and load testing of components meant for extraterrestrial single-charged environments.