A Layered Architecture for Mitigation of Dust for Manned and Robotic Space Exploration

Abstract

Multiple methods, technologies and protocols have been proposed to address the many disparate aspects of dust mitigation. Effective integration of this emerging patchwork of solutions will require consistent metrics across disciplines. We posit a multi-layered mitigation architecture with attainable criteria for each layer. With astronaut(s) at the 'center' of the protection layers, environmental standards would set the criteria for the innermost level. Construction of the architecture will establish specific definitions, specifications, standards, implementation contexts and exceptions. Key to the success of the methodology proposed are successive layers of application, providing a robust redundancy. The baseline environmental definitions deliberately set the design points to reasonable and adequate standards. Provisional working standards are set as placeholders. The architecture will serve to align the many mitigation opportunities into a manageable set of engineering guidelines. In May of 2005, NASA's Johnson SpaceFlight Center co-sponsored with NASA/Colorado School of Mines' Project Dust, the first Dust Focus Conference. This conference explored mitigation dust opportunities on the Moon and Mars for both human and robotic exploration. Dr. Harrison Schmitt's presentation crystalized our thinking about establishing a layered architecture for human and robotics exploration and development. Our early notions had been context-driven and focussed on the hardware and mitigations, whether a rover, an EVA suit, a lander or an habitat. Dr. Schmitt's description of his 'layers-of-an-onion' approach would neatly adapt our layered plies to a more generalized series of protective cocoons through implementation of successive mitigation measures. From anecdotes of the Apollo astronauts to video observations of Mars rovers Spirit and Opportunity it is clear that dust is a significant component of local planetary environments. This paper is constructed to communicate an emerging approach which can provide guidance for dust mitigation and ISRU research teams. Methods of vetting information and communicating to dependent layers are a key component. The over-arching objective of this architectural pursuit is translating basic science information to effective systems performance on the Moon and Mars. Many technologies and protocols have been proposed to address the disparate aspects of dust mitigation. Effective integration of this emerging patchwork of problems and