NASA has launched the Lunar Grounding Challenge to address the accumulation of electrostatic charge on spacesuits during lunar surface missions. Walking on the lunar surface and exposure to ambient plasma create a significant electrical potential on suits, particularly when astronauts traverse permanently shadowed regions.
The primary risk arises when a negatively charged astronaut returns to a lander. The lack of natural mechanisms to dissipate this charge on the Moon turns the astronaut into a high-voltage capacitor. Upon contact with the lander, which maintains a slightly positive potential, an electrostatic discharge can occur.
This discharge poses threats to the integrity of spacesuit layers and sensitive electronics. Furthermore, it risks compromising the oxygen-rich environment inside the suit and delivering hazardous electrical shocks to crew members. NASA is currently seeking concepts for an electrostatic discharge mitigation solution.
The agency is looking for designs and operational procedures that can safely neutralize the electrical charge before an astronaut interacts with the spacecraft. Interested participants can find detailed requirements and submission guidelines on the official challenge platform.
