Design and Development of Test Equipment for the Testing and Evaluation of a Novel Reusable Synthetic Gecko Skin Adhesive Roller for Lunar Dust Removal from Spacesuits and Hard Surfaces

Lunar dust poses a hazard to future human exploration of the Moon because the dust is very adhesive and abrasive. Existing methods to remove dust from spacecraft or spacesuit surfaces require specialized surface treatments, which make the manufacture of these components more costly. We are developing a passive dust removal technology that mimics a common lint roller in operation. Rather than using a traditional adhesive, it uses a synthetic silicone gecko skin that can be cleaned, enabling reuse. This paper will highlight one of the developed methods for cleaning the gecko roller through high-speed rotation of the roller. Furthermore, the design of an Ultra-High Vacuum system for testing the gecko roller under conditions similar to the lunar surface will be described. Design reasoning for the instrumented, custom three degree-of-freedom motion platform, and considerations for the design of a dirty vacuum chamber are covered.