As NASA prepares for the next generation of lunar exploration under the Artemis program, engineers are tackling a persistent challenge that plagued early space missions: lunar regolith. Daniel Stubbs, an aerospace engineer at the Marshall Space Flight Center, is leading efforts to model how rocket exhaust plumes interact with the Moon’s surface. Because the lunar surface is covered in razor-sharp, abrasive dust created by eons of micrometeoroid impacts, the force of a landing spacecraft can kick up massive clouds that threaten both the vehicle and nearby scientific equipment.

Modern lunar landers present a unique set of variables compared to the Apollo-era modules. These new vehicles are significantly larger, heavier, and utilize more powerful engines. Furthermore, unlike their predecessors, these landers must be capable of taking off from the lunar surface using the same hardware that facilitated their descent. If the rocket plumes erode the surface too aggressively, they could create craters or instability, potentially causing a lander to tip over or damaging critical instruments deployed on the surface.

To mitigate these risks, Stubbs and his team are conducting extensive ground-based simulations, including high-fidelity testing at the Langley Research Center. By studying how exhaust plumes displace regolith, engineers can better predict aerodynamic forces and thermal impacts on the spacecraft’s base. These insights are vital for ensuring that guidance systems remain accurate during the final stages of descent, as obscured visibility caused by dust clouds could otherwise lead to navigation errors.

Ultimately, this research is a cornerstone of the broader Artemis mission, which aims to establish a sustainable human presence on the Moon. By mastering the complexities of plume-surface interaction, NASA is not only securing the safety of future crews but also laying the technical groundwork for the eventual transition to crewed missions to Mars. As the program progresses toward its 2028 goals, the work being done in Alabama and Virginia remains essential to the success of humanity’s return to the lunar surface.