Dust Accumulation Sensor Provides In Situ Monitoring

About this technology

Overview

Innovators working at NASA Johnson Space Center have developed a dust sensor for use in space environments that measures surface dust accumulation more effectively and accurately than solar cell-based methods. The Planetary Accumulation of Dust Sensor, or “PADS” for short, comprises a compact, puck-shaped form factor whose key component, a sensor disc, has a tunable optical coating from which dust accumulation is derived through measured changes in coating properties when heat is applied. For planned Moon and other planetary-body missions (Mars, asteroids), there are significant needs to understand the impacts of the dust environ-ment to support design, operations, performance impacts, etc., for scientific and overall mission objectives. NASA believes the PADS device will be useful for ensuring remote equipment operators and astronauts are aware of dust accumulation on mission critical components (e.g., radiators, solar arrays) that could lead to mission complications. The PADS device provides a solution to these needs in a simple, light-weight, low power device for measurement of dust accumulation in a space-based environment having undergone ground calibration and optimization of its key design features for the environment of interest. The Planetary Accumulation of Dust Sensor is at a technology readiness level (TRL) 6 (System/sub-system model or prototype demonstration in an operational environment ), and is now available for patent licensing.