Session: 17-04-01: Posters Related to Advances in Aerospace Technology

Paper Number: 95936

95936 - Electrodynamic Conveying of Lunar Regolith 

I worked as a NASA Internship (NI) intern during the fall 2021 term, in the UBG/Spaceport technologies office division, under my mentors Aaron Olson, Ph.D. and Krystal Acosta, Ph.D. Our overall goal was to develop a 3D CAD modeling prototype scale design of the novel concept, Electrodynamic Regolith Conveyor (ERC), using PTC Creo software and prototype testing. This goal includes contributing in the post-testing analysis of the project. Specifically, I was assigned to the Electrostatics and Surface Physics Lab (ESPL) research group, a team that works on the understanding of the electrostatic properties of lunar regolith and the use of electrostatics for future physics projects. These tests are important because they ensure every feature of the design operates as intended for In-situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) systems found in potential science investigations in lunar exploration. At the same time, the technology currently under development will have the capability to observe the lunar regolith’s particle movement by utilizing a Go Pro camera to record video, and transport 100 grams of lunar regolith in one minute to a collection bin inside a vacuum chamber payload locker. Another project contribution for future lunar exploration resource utilization is to determine the mass flow rate limit of the ERC with the use of electrode structures and charged particle inlet tracing which is transformed into mass ratio values with a load cell. Additionally, the project’s design concept could possibly contribute to the Suborbital Lunar Gravity Flight (Blue Origin). Another important contribution currently being developed is working on an electrodynamic dust shield (EDS) prototype which can transport regolith in one direction using a traveling wave. This EDS will be mounted at different inclinations for the Phase 1 design. The ERC will be used to test if certain parameters such as mass flow rate, power, system mass collection, and flow area are problematic for any specific part of the assembly when operating inside the vacuum chamber. A major identifier of a design flaw is a leakage or failure risk during the testing. The 3D printed material could also limit the smaller scale process of the prototype. I also had to determine how my unit tests were compatible when fulfilling the design requirements set by the testing group. This task is essential to ensure all requirements are being taken into consideration for the scale size design, especially during testing and post analysis. Lastly, I developed a mid-level concept and design of the ERC that can be potentially used or modified in a future basis for the suborbital flight. I developed the necessary mechanical process, coding, and 3D CAD modeling for the ERC system to ensure they are performing according to the documentation.

Presenting Author: Priscilla Mendoza The University of Texas at El Paso

Presenting Author Biography: My name is Priscilla Annette Mendoza and I’m currently a Graduate Mechanical Engineering student and past research assistant at the University of Texas at El Paso. This will be my last semester of Master’s along with my Thesis and conducting research at Aerospace Center, part of the University’s well known Space program. <br/>As a matter of fact, part of my research/thesis deals with NASA’s ISRU and LuSTR grant programs to further research on the utilization of resources such as water, which is essential to sustain life on Earth. My current thesis proposal includes the space mission architecture system involving the ionization and separation of molecules transformed into water vapor to absorb with the use of Direct Current and Magnetic trapping from the lunar surface. Additionally, I am part of L’SPACE NPWEE Academy alongside my team memebers into constructing a grant proposal for further development. L’SPACE has guided me into the path I am looking for and be able to contribute on a future basis for programs such as ARTEMIS and LuSTR as a professional mechanical engineer.

Authors:

Priscilla Mendoza The University of Texas at El Paso
Aaron Olson NASA
Krystal Acosta NASA