NASA Takes Big Steps Toward Moon Exploration

As NASA gears up for a historic return to the moon, ensuring the health and safety of astronauts is an absolute priority. Detailed studies of life aboard the International Space Station (ISS) are crucial, right down to analyzing the very air that astronauts breathe.

Groundbreaking Air Quality Monitors Head to the ISS

In an exciting development, NASA’s Glenn Research Center is launching three cutting-edge air quality monitors to the ISS in a mission scheduled for Monday, April 21. These monitors are essential for evaluating air quality for potential lunar habitats.

Dusty Challenges Await on the Moon

Just as homes on Earth accumulate dust from everyday life, the ISS faces similar challenges—from skin flakes to clothing fibers. In the vacuum of space, however, particles don’t settle; they float, necessitating the advanced filtration systems aboard the station to keep the air clean.

When astronauts venture to the moon, they'll confront a unique adversary—lunar dust. According to Claire Fortenberry, the principal investigator for the Exploration Aerosol Monitors project, lunar dust poses serious health risks, causing respiratory irritation. Unlike Earth, the moon's lack of atmosphere means its dust particles are sharper and more abrasive.

Testing the Future of Space Air Quality