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How Future Moon Landers Could Create Their Own Landing Pads
A company called Masten Space Systems is currently working on a technique that would allow lunar landers to create their own makeshift hardened landing pad. Such a system would prevent regolith disruption which sends particles into the air that could cause mechanical issues to lunar devices. Developing a technique that would allow lunar landers to create hardened, debris-free on the surface is an incredible challenge, but pulling it off could mean easier Moon missions in the future.
Regolith is the dusty loose material that sits on the Moon's surface. Over time, meteoroids and debris pound the moon's surface into a fine powder, which can find its way into lunar machinery. During the Apollo missions, regolith on the surface had a negative effect on the lifespan of the equipment. Experiments that stayed on the surface after the team left were endangered due to the leftover debris floating around. Not only that, but regolith becomes deadly if sent at high speeds by a spacecraft's engine.
To combat this, the team at Masten Space Systems is working on developing a system called FAST, according to a report from the company. The in-Flight Alumina Spray Technique would kick in as soon as the lunar lander begins its landing sequence. As the lander descends, alumina ceramic particles are mixed with the rocket's exhaust, forcing a spray onto the surface that coats and coagulates lunar regolith. The surface then hardens into a landing pad that's resistant to heavier ablation and more heat. Though still just a concept, the team has already performed extensive testing on Earth. This includes studying how the particles hold up during travel and whether or not they can maintain form during takeoff.
Why Not Build A Landing Pad?
In order to build a landing pad, NASA would need to send a lander that would be capable of construction. Either manned or unmanned, the vehicle would then need to build landing pads for future lunar missions. Unfortunately, this approach would cost roughly $120 million per attempt, based on estimates. Using FAST, a simple yet effective landing space can be constructed during landing and used again for takeoff, assuming it works as intended.
Future lunar missions may include hardware that is heavy and robust, meaning if this technique were to be implemented, it would need to stand up to the needs of these missions. According to Masten, FAST is capable of creating a 20 ft diameter alumina pad in 10 seconds before touchdown. After laying the pad, only 2.5 seconds would be needed in order for the pad to cool. That's really quite impressive if it proves true. Hopefully, future lunar missions will be able to utilize this tech in order to mitigate regolith disruption on the lunar surface and keep space and lunar surface damage to a minimum.
