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Why are scientists simulating moon dust?

2024-05-10 19:02:29Lifestyle SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX
Why are scientists simulating moon dust?
Why scientists are simulating lunar dust

Swamp Works is a laboratory where work is done on simulated lunar dust.

The dust covering the surface of our satellite is called regolith. It is very fine, very sharp on a microscopic scale, and it spreads everywhere.

"So when we landed on Apollo 11 we didn't know exactly what the surface of the moon would be like. There were many questions about how far the spacecraft would sink to its surface. How voluminous is this regolith?" Spencer Kelly explains to the BBC .

Why are scientists simulating moon dust?

Because the Eagle did not sink as much as expected, Neil Armstrong had to jump from the last rung of the ship.

Today, Swamp Works builds robots that can run through lunar dust and use it to their advantage. It will be very useful as the powder consists of silicon dioxide and calcium oxide which contain a lot of oxygen.

If we could dig into the regolith and extract the oxygen through the processes we would have clean air and produce rocket fuel.

"If fuel could be taken from the moon and eventually Mars, that would allow us to bring more supplies and go more often," says mechanical engineer Jason Schuler.

Why are scientists simulating moon dust?

“The excavation process had to be devised from the beginning to suit the celestial objects. Technology on our planet depends on weight and gravity. We had to reduce the weight we put on rockets and then, when it lands on the Moon, it weighs 1/6 of its weight on Earth. Imagine trying to dig through the ice, but with a spoon you wouldn't be able to get anything out."

To do this, the robot uses a 'bucket drum' that comes in the form of a spiral. If you turn it to one side, you get the dust that slowly goes to the middle and stays there, and when it needs to be unloaded, just turn it to the other side and it comes out again.

Why are scientists simulating moon dust?

They are placed at opposite ends of the robot and when it digs, it uses both 'drums' simultaneously. Thus, they dig in opposite directions but it is the way it lands on the surface of the Moon.

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