Moon Dust, NASA's Dirty Little Secret

The trouble with not doing something for 30 some odd years and then doing it again is that facts that were obvious then have been forgotten due to lack of use now. Take for example an article in Science Daily. Apollo astronauts has a major issue with Moon dust. It was as fine as flour and rough as sandpaper, Moon dust caused ‘lunar hay fever,’ problems with space suits, and dust storms in the crew cabin upon returning to space. During the Apollo 17 mission, for example, crewmembers Harrison “Jack” Schmitt and Gene Cernan had trouble moving their arms during moonwalks because dust had gummed up the joints. The dust was so abrasive that it actually wore through three layers of Kevlar-like material on Jack Schmitt's boot. The material is also so static laden that it sticks and coats everything it touches. Because of the dust's high iron content, preliminary studies suggest that the inhalation of lunar dust may pose a health hazard, possibly including iron toxicity. These and many other problems with the Lunar environment need to be addressed for any long term occupation can take place.

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Dust Storms May be Causing Global Warming

Scientists have been studying dust storms now for decades. They have determined that these storms has contributed greatly to global warming and the drastic shrinking of the planet's polar ice caps. But are we talking about Earth? No, Mars!

Computer simulations similar to those used to predict weather here on Earth show that the bright, windblown dust and sand particles affects Mars’ albedo—the amount of sunlight reflected from the planet’s surface. The research, detailed in the April 5 issue of the journal Nature, suggests these albedo variations play an important role in the climate of Mars. It could also potentially explain how global dust storms are triggered on the red planet.

Shaun Saunders sent this in saying that this ties in well with other articles posted here earlier on similar subject matter.

Lunar dust 'may harm astronauts'

Scientists are investigating the possible threat posed to astronauts by inhaling lunar dust.

A study suggests the smallest particles in lunar dust might be toxic, if comparisons with dust inhalation cases on Earth apply.

Teams hope to carry out experiments on mice to determine whether this is the case or not.

Nasa has set up a working group to look into the matter ahead of its planned return to the Moon by 2020.

The health effects of inhaling lunar dust have been recognised since Nasa's Apollo missions.

Astronaut Harrison H (Jack) Schmitt, the last man to step on to the Moon in Apollo 17, complained of "lunar dust hay fever" when his dirty space suit contaminated the habitation module after an energetic foray on the lunar surface.

submitted by Shaun A. Saunders

Need some Moon Dirt?

How about Fake moon dirt? I read it! Right in Cory Doctorow's Boing Boing...check it...

Short on real moondust to study, NASA scientists are planning to manufacture huge amounts of fake moon dirt.

Tons of it as it would seem! Ok, there IS a reason, I confess...but it's so weird to see FAKE MOONDUST! Ok, here is the skinny..

Apparently, samples acquired during the Apollo missions aren't nearly enough to test how machinery will act on the lunar surface. As a result, NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center has contracted with aerospace R&D firm ORBITEC to manufacture 16 tonnes of three varieties of simulated moon dirt.

Click the title link for more info!