NASA Seeks Solutions for Electrostatic Discharge Risk During Lunar Surface EVAs
NASA is initiating the Lunar Grounding Challenge to find innovative designs and operational methods to safely discharge astronauts from high triboelectric charge buildup experienced during lunar surface Extravehicular Activities (EVAs) at the South Pole.
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According to NASA News Releases, Bailey Light reports that electric charge is generated on a spacesuit through tribocharging from walking on the lunar surface and plasma charging from the surrounding plasma. This issue is worsened when astronauts enter lunar shadows or Permanently Shadowed Regions (PSRs). In these dark areas, the spacesuit has the potential to accumulate a significant negative potential because of a lack of ambient ion flux and the absence of photoelectron emission to balance the collection of ambient electrons.
The danger arises when an astronaut returns to the spacecraft. Since the lunar surface lacks a natural way to dissipate the charge built up on the spacesuit, the astronaut could potentially act as a high-voltage capacitor while moving. In sunlit areas, the stationary lander maintains a slightly positive electrical potential. When a highly negatively charged astronaut nears the vehicle, the extreme voltage difference can cause an electrostatic discharge, which is an instantaneous electrical arc or spark, upon physical contact.
A swift discharge from the astronaut to the lander carries risks, including damaging essential suit layers, harming delicate suit electronics, endangering the oxygen-rich atmosphere inside the suit, and causing hazardous electrical shocks to the crew.
NASA is looking for creative designs and operational approaches through the Lunar Grounding Challenge to establish a lunar equilibrium capability that can safely discharge a suited astronaut from high triboelectric charge accumulation during lunar surface EVAs in the South Pole. This challenge is looking for novel concepts for an Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) mitigation solution to neutralize the astronaut safely and promptly while managing this extreme charge differential before any direct contact with the lander occurs.
The challenge offers up to $150,000 in prizes. The open date for the challenge is October 5, 2026, and submissions are due by January 15, 2027. Further details are available at the provided link.
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