On the Moon, the main problem is not radiation, but dust. These are microscopic fragments with sharp, jagged edges – they irritate the skin, damage mucous membranes, and clog mechanisms to the point of failure. Scientists from the Moscow Aviation Institute, commissioned by Roscosmos, have developed a prototype project for a habitable lunar station's airlock module, where methods for removing this dust from equipment and gear will be tested.
The module's diameter is 2.2–2.4 meters. Inside, systems for connecting spacesuits to power, compression and decompression, and thermal control will be located. The main thing is air purification before astronauts open the inner hatch and enter the base.
The initial version of the lunar base will consist of three modules arranged in a "T" shape: residential, laboratory, and storage. It is designed to accommodate three permanent or six temporary astronauts. The modules will be buried 1.5–2 meters deep in the ground – this provides protection from galactic radiation. Airlock compartments for surface egress will be located at each end of the T-shaped structure.
A prototype of the airlock will be built in Moscow as part of a lunar base mock-up. A lunar landscape with regolith analogue will be created around it. There, not only dust control but also radiation protection, emergency rescue, and temperature and pressure maintenance will be tested.
Read more on the topic:
- MAI and FMBA Scientists Create Airlock Module for Russian Lunar Station
- Roscosmos to Begin Assembling Nuclear Reactor on the Moon in 2032
- Russia unveils space strategy: lunar nuclear power plant, resource extraction, and missions to Venus