Plans to return mankind to the Moon before the end of this decade promise a new era of space exploration. However, scientists caution about the potential dangers of creating a short-lived toxic atmosphere of moon dust over the surface of the moon.
Danger of moon dust
The Moon is surrounded by an exosphere, an extremely thin layer of gas. That is, the atmosphere there is so thin that it is often neglected. But astronaut activities, resource extraction, and rocket launches can upset this equilibrium, raising large amounts of regolith above the surface. This can damage both missions and equipment.
Rosemary Killen, a planetologist at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, emphasizes the danger of tiny dust particles. Moon dust, formed by collisions of space rocks and the impact of the solar wind, is a threat because of its finely dispersed structure. Dust can damage lungs, electronics and machinery, as well as obstruct visibility.
Additional sources of pollution, such as vapor emissions from spacecraft or life support system leaks, will also affect the environment. Even small amounts of water or gas can spread over significant distances, settle in shaded regions, and alter the chemical composition of ancient frozen ice deposits.
An important task for scientists is to analyze the pristine ice in the craters, where water may have been stored for centuries. However, water vapor created by human activities can mix with natural stocks, making data interpretation difficult.
Impact on astronaut health
The missions of the Artemis program, which NASA runs with commercial partners, involve the active use of large vehicles. Heavy landings by such vehicles can lift dust to high altitudes, creating short-lived “atmospheric” pockets of gas and particles. Space agencies plan to minimize these effects through careful selection of landing sites and optimization of flight paths.
However, even a few seconds of rocket engine operation can cast dust over significant distances, polluting remote regions. Moon dust can damage astronauts’ lungs, scratch spacesuit surfaces and clog mechanisms. It has properties similar to coal dust, which is detrimental to the health of miners.
There is also a risk of dust transfer into the living modules. Dirty spacesuits, tools and Mars rovers can bring it into airlocks and rooms, creating additional health and engineering hazards.
Preservation of unique regions
Priority research areas are unaltered regions of the Moon, particularly shadow craters that contain ancient ice. These sites can provide information about the origin of water on Earth and the Moon, as well as the early history of our planet. However, even minor interventions, such as the addition of new gases or water, can change the natural composition of these resources.
Some scientists are calling for exclusion zones and careful planning of operations to preserve unique lunar resources until detailed study is possible. This will separate the natural elements from the man-made ones.
Missions to the Moon promise new discoveries, but also remind us of the importance of responsible exploration. Efforts by space agencies, scientists and private companies are aimed at minimizing the impact of human activity, preserving the moon’s fragile environment and ensuring the safety of researchers.
In the future, smart soft landing technologies, controlled resource extraction, and global cooperation will pave the way for exciting discoveries, preserving the Moon for generations to come.
According to earth.com
