NASA Begins Plume-Surface Interaction Tests for Lunar Missions

• NASA has initiated a series of Plume-Surface Interaction (PSI) tests at the Langley Research Center to analyze how lander engine plumes interact with lunar regolith, soil, and rocks.
• The research aims to improve predictive models and hardware design for the Artemis IV mission in 2028 and future Moon base operations, ensuring astronaut safety and mission success.
• Tests are conducted inside a 60-foot spherical vacuum chamber to replicate the harsh landing environments encountered on the Moon.

Testing Methodology and Equipment

• The campaign utilizes two primary propulsion systems to simulate different landing conditions:
  • An ethane-based plume simulation system providing up to 100 pounds of non-burning thrust, operated by Purdue University.
  • A 3D-printed hybrid rocket motor providing 35 pounds of thrust, replicating actual rocket exhaust properties, developed at Utah State University.
• Advanced instrumentation, including the Stereo Cameras for Lunar Plume Surface Studies (SCALPSS), captures critical data on crater formation, ejecta sheet dynamics, and regolith particle velocity.
• Testing involves the 'Black Point-1' regolith simulant, which mimics the cohesive and jagged properties of actual lunar soil.

Future Implications and Mars Readiness

• The test platform is modular by design to support long-term mission objectives beyond the Moon.
• The system can be adapted for Mars missions by replacing lunar simulants with sand-like Martian simulants and adjusting atmospheric pressure within the chamber to match the Red Planet's conditions.
• Data collected from these tests are essential for validating landing system models and mitigating hazards to nearby scientific payloads, rovers, and crewed infrastructure.