Advances in active dust mitigation technologies for spacesuits

Extravehicular Mobility Units (EMUs) constitute vital life-support systems for astronaut operations in extraterrestrial environments. Apollo mission data confirm lunar dust as the primary operational hazard during lunar surface extravehicular activities. Contemporary research on active dust mitigation predominantly targets electrostatic systems, mechanical-electrostatic hybrids, and fluid-based methodologies. This review systematically assesses active dust removal technologies for spacesuits, focusing on fluid-based methodologies, mechanical, and electrostatic approaches. While fluid-based methodologies demonstrate superior overall dust removal rates and effectiveness across a broader particle size range, their application in extraterrestrial environments is severely constrained by fluid dispersion in vacuum, resource consumption, and potential contamination. Electrostatic techniques, particularly electrodynamic systems, offer non-contact operation and significant future potential but currently face challenges including high power consumption, reliance on high voltages, and limited efficiency in removing sub-micron particles. Mechanical methods, valued for their reliability and simplicity in handling large particles, were successfully employed in the Apollo program. However, they struggle with fine dust, pose abrasion risks to sensitive surfaces, and exhibit performance variability under different gravitational and pressure conditions. Future research should prioritize overcoming the high-voltage dependency of electrostatic methods through innovative electrode designs and hybrid excitation strategies. Fluid-based methodologies show promise when reconfigured for controlled, enclosed environments like lunar base dust removal chambers, enabling resource recovery and sustainable operation. Mechanical systems require evolution beyond traditional brushing via miniaturization, force-controlled actuators, and integration with electrostatic or vibrational components for enhanced efficiency and reduced wear. Ultimately, the development of hybrid solutions, combining the strengths of these technologies, and advancing materials for self-cleaning surfaces, is crucial for achieving effective, adaptive, and integrated dust mitigation strategies essential for long-term extraterrestrial missions.