MoonSAFE - reduce dust contamination risks for lunar infractructure

MoonSAFE – Predict and Mitigate Lunar Dust Risks During Mission Design

MoonSAFE is an advanced simulation tool designed to assess and mitigate particle contamination risks in the lunar environment. It helps engineers design safer lunar infrastructure, protect critical assets, and evaluate alternative mission scenarios before deployment, including specific lunar terrain features.

MoonSAFE models particle generation, trajectories, transport and deposition across the lunar surface and into orbit, supporting five key applications:

1. Optimize lunar infrastructure layout

Predict dust contamination resulting from landings, rover activities and other surface operations. Identify safe locations for critical assets and compare alternative infrastructure layouts.

2. Assess the impact of nearby landings

Simulate plume–surface interactions and regolith ejection during lunar landings. Predict particle trajectories, velocities and size distributions to assess contamination and impact risks to surrounding infrastructure.

3. Evaluate meteorite-induced secondary ejecta

Model long-range transport of particles generated by meteorite impacts. Identify areas exposed to secondary ejecta and support safer placement of lunar infrastructure.

4. Assess orbital risks from lunar ejecta

Predict the transport of particles ejected from the lunar surface into orbit. Identify orbital regions and spacecraft potentially exposed to dust and high-velocity particles.

5. Compare mitigation strategies

Evaluate alternative infrastructure configurations, protective barriers, shielding solutions and operational scenarios within a consistent simulation environment. Quantitatively compare their effectiveness to select optimal mitigation strategies.

MoonSAFE enables simulation-driven decision-making, helping mission designers reduce dust-related risks, improve mission safety and optimize lunar infrastructure before deployment.