Magnetic Cleaning Device for Lunar Dust Adhering to Spacesuits

Abstract

The removal of lunar dust adhering to spacesuits is essential for the long-term exploration of the Moon. Because lunar dust is magnetic, a convenient cleaning device that utilizes magnetic force has been developed. The device can capture and separate lunar dust continuously with a multipole magnetic roller. The observed separation rate was 90%, but the capture rate was low, resulting in an overall cleaning rate of 40%. The rate increased when large amounts of dust adhered to the fabric. Although it was difficult to capture small particles trapped between fabric fibers, this device will be able to preliminarily clean spacesuits and save the precious activity time of astronauts on the Moon.