Design of the Sensing Elements of LD-GRIDS, a Charged Dust Analyser for Lunar Surface in the EMM Project Framework

Lunar dust’s electrostatic behaviour threatens the safety and longevity of lunar missions, particularly as NASA’s Artemis program advances toward sustained human exploration. This study aims to compare two different configurations for the sensing elements of LD GRIDS (Lunar Dust Grid System) (square and round patterns), a dust analyser conceived to measure charged particles on the next Moon missions. The interaction between the charged particle and sensing elements is simulated by using COMSOL Multiphysics software. The work focuses on two objectives: (1) validating a numerical model against the foundational results of literature and (2) advancing sensor design by comparing the expected performance through a grid-based electrode system. The developed model agreed well with the literature, providing discrepancies on the induced charge below 6%. Moreover, starting from the geometry described in previous studies, aimed to assess the feasibility of charge dust analysers to cope with general space mechanical environment, the LD GRIDS grid-based designs were tested for charge induction performance as particles traversed single and paired grid arrangements. Comparison of the obtained results allowed for the identification of the optimal instrument configuration.