Skip to content
AsteriaStar
Deep-space challenge

The Planetary Dust Challenge

The dust of the Moon and Mars is not the smooth sand of Earth but sharp, clinging, and chemically reactive. Lunar dust abraded the Apollo astronauts' suits and equipment and irritated their lungs, and Martian soil holds toxic perchlorates — so managing dust is essential to keeping crews, seals, and machinery working on any planetary surface.

Knowledge connections

Sources

The primary and reference sources this topic draws on.

  • NASANational Aeronautics and Space Administration

    Mission data, planetary science, space telescopes, and public-domain imagery.

    Most NASA-produced imagery is in the public domain; individual items are checked for usage terms before publication.