Abstract
A cleaning system for removing lunar dust from the surfaces of solar panels and optical lenses will be of great use for lunar exploration. Hence, we are developing a cleaning system based on electrostatic force generated by the electrostatic traveling-wave for removing lunar dust. We have developed an electrostatic cleaning plate with transparent ITO (Indium Tin Oxide) electrodes and demonstrated using lunar dust simulant that the decrease in the transmission rate of light is only by several percent by the application of ultrasonic vibrations in a vacuum even if lunar dust was initially charged. Based on these investigations, we have successfully demonstrated the electrostatic cleaning of real lunar dust returned by the Apollo 11 lunar surface mission. Finally, we have carried out a numerical simulation and proven that the performance of the system will improve in the low-gravity environment on the moon.
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