Lunar regolith is created by billions of years of meteoroid impacts that pulverise the Moon’s surface rock. 

'Fine like powder, but sharp like glass': How moon dust could affect astronauts’ lungs and health?

Space scientists are working day and night to expand the human presence in the solar system, especially on the Moon. But what if there's a way to bring part of the Moon here on Earth? Sounds interesting, and it may happen.&nbsp;

In Germany's proof-of-concept study, the researchers have said that it was found that solar energy could be harnessed to turn lunar dust to pave for landing pads and roads.&nbsp;

As quoted by media reports, Prof Jens Günster, who is from the Federal Institute of Materials Research and Testing in Berlin, said: "You might think: 'Streets on the moon, who needs that?'"&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/glass-shards-from-ancient-new-zealand-volcanic-eruption-found-3000-miles-away-645692">Glass shards from ancient New Zealand volcanic eruption found 3,000 miles away</a>&nbsp;

Günster, who is the co-author of a report, said: "But in fact, it's a kind of depressing demand [even] early on. It's very loose material, there's no atmosphere, gravity is weak, so the dust gets everywhere."&nbsp;

"It contaminates not only your equipment but other nations'. No one would be happy to be covered in dust from another rocket," Günster added.&nbsp;

The study said that to increase the sustainability of future lunar missions, in-situ resource utilisation (ISRU) techniques must be developed.&nbsp;

The study, published in Nature Scientific Reports on Thursday (Oct 12), investigates the use of concentrated light for paving on the Moon by melting the lunar regolith.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/james-webb-telescope-clicks-a-beautiful-star-forming-region-645456">James Webb telescope clicks a beautiful star-forming region</a>&nbsp;

The study used&nbsp;a high-power CO2 laser as a substitute for the concentrated sunlight in the experiments. A maximum laser spot diameter of 100mm can be achieved with this setup. It translated into high thicknesses of the consolidated layers.&nbsp;

"At the end of the study, large samples (approximately 250 × 250 mm) with interlocking capabilities were fabricated by melting the lunar simulant with the laser directly on the powder bed," the study said.&nbsp;

Researchers say that large areas of lunar soil can be covered with these samples and serve as roads and landing pads, decreasing the propagation of lunar dust. These manufactured samples were analysed regarding their mineralogical composition, internal structure and mechanical properties.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Space scientists are working day and night to expand the human presence in the solar system, especially on the Moon. But what if there's a way to bring part of the Moon here on Earth?

Space scientists are working day and night to expand the human presence in the solar system, especially on the Moon. But what if there's a way to bring part of the Moon here on Earth? Sounds interesting, and it may happen. In Germany's proof-of-concept study, the researchers have said that it was found that solar energy could be harnessed to turn lunar dust to pave for landing pads and roads. As quoted by media reports, Prof Jens Günster, who is from the Federal Institute of Materials Research and Testing in Berlin, said: "You might think: 'Streets on the moon, who needs that?'" Also read: Glass shards from ancient New Zealand volcanic eruption found 3,000 miles away Günster, who is the co-author of a report, said: "But in fact, it's a kind of depressing demand [even] early on. It's very loose material, there's no atmosphere, gravity is weak, so the dust gets everywhere." "It contaminates not only your equipment but other nations'. No one would be happy to be covered in dust from another rocket," Günster added. The study said that to increase the sustainability of future lunar missions, in-situ resource utilisation (ISRU) techniques must be developed. The study, published in Nature Scientific Reports on Thursday (Oct 12), investigates the use of concentrated light for paving on the Moon by melting the lunar regolith. Also read: James Webb telescope clicks a beautiful star-forming region The study used a high-power CO2 laser as a substitute for the concentrated sunlight in the experiments. A maximum laser spot diameter of 100mm can be achieved with this setup. It translated into high thicknesses of the consolidated layers. "At the end of the study, large samples (approximately 250 × 250 mm) with interlocking capabilities were fabricated by melting the lunar simulant with the laser directly on the powder bed," the study said. Researchers say that large areas of lunar soil can be covered with these samples and serve as roads and landing pads, decreasing the propagation of lunar dust. These manufactured samples were analysed regarding their mineralogical composition, internal structure and mechanical properties. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Walk on the Moon to become reality? Roads on Earth could be made from lunar dust

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has confirmed that its Chandrayaan-3 lunar-landing mission is on track and the soft-landing will happen at 6:04pm IST on Wednesday (August 23). "All set to initiate the Automatic Landing Sequence (ALS). Awaiting the arrival of Lander Module (LM) at the designated point, around 17:44 Hrs. IST. Upon receiving the ALS command, the LM activates the throttleable engines for powered descent. The mission operations team will keep confirming the sequential execution of commands," ISRO tweeted.&nbsp;

The landing process will see the Vikram lander initially reduce its horizontal velocity, re-orient itself for vertical landing and then reduce its vertical velocity to soft-land at a safe speed. In a span of 19 minutes, the craft is meant to slow itself from an initial velocity of 1.6km/sec to 1-2 m/sec.&nbsp;

However, the Vikram lander and Pragyan rover would not immediately begin their scientific exploration and experiments. "Just like the excitement has to settle down among the Indian people, the fine talcum powder-like Lunar dust that is kicked up from the landing must settle down. Post-landing, lunar dust can fog up the view of the lander cameras. Since the lunar gravity is barely 1/6th of Earth's gravity, it could take a few hours for the dust to settle. Only after the dust settles down, can the lander commence its tasks, charge itself by harnessing solar power and then open the ramp to eject the Pragyan rover," Dr Mylswamy Annadurai, the former director of ISRO's satellite Centre, told WION.&nbsp;

He added, once the rover begins to traverse the lunar surface, the six-wheeled Pragyan would leave India's indelible imprint on the moon, as its wheels carry the Indian State emblem (an adaptation of the Sarnath Lion capital of King Ashoka) and the logo of the Indian space agency.&nbsp;

While Vikram and Pragyan have a planned mission life of 1 lunar day (14.75 days on Earth), there is a possibility that the duo could live longer. ISRO has designed its lander and rover to harness solar power and charge its onboard batteries, but that would be possible only during the lunar day. After lunar day, comes lunar night when temperatures drop severely and go well below -150ºC. If the lander and rover survive the lunar night (14.75 earth days), it might be possible for them to get revived when the lunar day breaks and solar power is available, multiple ISRO officials told WION.&nbsp;

In fact, ISRO has planned the lunar landing at the start of the lunar day, so that the lander rover can harness solar power and work for the planned operational life of 14 earth days or one lunar day.&nbsp;

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The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has confirmed that its Chandrayaan-3 lunar-landing mission is on track and the soft-landing will happen at 6:04pm IST on Wednesday (August 23).

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has confirmed that its Chandrayaan-3 lunar-landing mission is on track and the soft-landing will happen at 6:04pm IST on Wednesday (August 23). "All set to initiate the Automatic Landing Sequence (ALS). Awaiting the arrival of Lander Module (LM) at the designated point, around 17:44 Hrs. IST. Upon receiving the ALS command, the LM activates the throttleable engines for powered descent. The mission operations team will keep confirming the sequential execution of commands," ISRO tweeted. The landing process will see the Vikram lander initially reduce its horizontal velocity, re-orient itself for vertical landing and then reduce its vertical velocity to soft-land at a safe speed. In a span of 19 minutes, the craft is meant to slow itself from an initial velocity of 1.6km/sec to 1-2 m/sec. However, the Vikram lander and Pragyan rover would not immediately begin their scientific exploration and experiments. "Just like the excitement has to settle down among the Indian people, the fine talcum powder-like Lunar dust that is kicked up from the landing must settle down. Post-landing, lunar dust can fog up the view of the lander cameras. Since the lunar gravity is barely 1/6th of Earth's gravity, it could take a few hours for the dust to settle. Only after the dust settles down, can the lander commence its tasks, charge itself by harnessing solar power and then open the ramp to eject the Pragyan rover," Dr Mylswamy Annadurai, the former director of ISRO's satellite Centre, told WION. He added, once the rover begins to traverse the lunar surface, the six-wheeled Pragyan would leave India's indelible imprint on the moon, as its wheels carry the Indian State emblem (an adaptation of the Sarnath Lion capital of King Ashoka) and the logo of the Indian space agency. While Vikram and Pragyan have a planned mission life of 1 lunar day (14.75 days on Earth), there is a possibility that the duo could live longer. ISRO has designed its lander and rover to harness solar power and charge its onboard batteries, but that would be possible only during the lunar day. After lunar day, comes lunar night when temperatures drop severely and go well below -150ºC. If the lander and rover survive the lunar night (14.75 earth days), it might be possible for them to get revived when the lunar day breaks and solar power is available, multiple ISRO officials told WION. In fact, ISRO has planned the lunar landing at the start of the lunar day, so that the lander rover can harness solar power and work for the planned operational life of 14 earth days or one lunar day. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Chandrayaan-3: After landing, Vikram and Pragyan to wait for lunar dust to settle 

Have you ever thought of dust as a solution to global warming? Not some ordinary amount of dust. Experts say massive tons of dust particles could reduce earthbound sunlight by 1 to 2 percent. Paving way for a cooler and sustainable earth.

Lunar dust to make a sustainable earth

In what can be said to be the world's first business transaction on the Moon, a private Japanese firm has signed a $5,000 contract with NASA. Watch this video to know all the details.

First business transaction on the Moon? Japanese company to sell Lunar dust to NASA

A sample of moon dust collected by Neil Armstrong during the historic Apollo 11 mission, that first put humans on the Moon went under the hammer and was sold for a whopping $504,375 at an auction on Wednesday.

Even though this is a huge amount, the estimated auction price was much higher. As per Bonhams the auctioneers in charge of this sale, it was expected to sell for between $800,000 and $1.2 million.

We’re sure you must be wondering how this lunar dust, which is bound to be a scientific sample came to be sold at a private auction. Well, it’s a really interesting and whacky story, but can be summed up as a ‘court order’.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/lunar-samples-collected-by-neil-armstrong-first-person-to-walk-on-the-moon-are-heading-to-auction-470309" hreflang="en">Lunar samples collected by Neil Armstrong, first person to walk on the Moon, are heading to auction</a>

Now for the full story.

Let’s start with how this sample was collected. When Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin reached the lunar surface back in 1969, Armstrong told the Apollo Mission Control Centre, Houston, Texas, that the sand was “almost like powder”.

<img alt="Armstrong, Aldrin" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b75e657b-d7d7-4671-86d2-54596f409d40" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/stories%20%2820%29_1.jpg" />

He then proceeded to collect a sample and seal it in a Teflon bag.&nbsp;

Solar wind regularly blasts the surface of the airless moon, adding an electric charge to the fine-grained dust, also known as regolith. This charge causes lunar regolith to ‘stick’ to everything, including the astronauts' boots, gloves, suits, cords, tools etc.

Watch |&nbsp;A new frontier in space exploration

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This stickiness caused a little bit of sand to stick to the Teflon bag which was then kept in a zip-lock bag for safekeeping. This “sticky” bit of sand is what was sold in this auction.

<img alt="Lunar dust" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="425a9059-1be3-48a1-81a8-ce015c9b3d34" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/stories%20%2819%29_3.jpg" />

NASA has long argued that the lunar rocks and dust obtained during the Apollo flights are government property that cannot be acquired by private individuals.

However, a couple of decades ago NASA had loaned that outer ziplock bag along with some other artefacts to the Cosmosphere space museum in Hutchinson, Kansas. From there, it disappeared.

As per a report by National Geographic, in 2002 it was discovered that Max Ary, the museum’s co-founder had been smuggling museum artefacts for his personal gain and this bag was one of those items. Ary faced a three-year jail term and a $132,000 fine.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/solar-systems-most-distant-planet-presents-unexplained-shift-in-temperature-470604" hreflang="en">Solar system's most distant planet presents unexplained shift in temperature</a>

The bag was then sold to Nancy Lee Carlson, for $995 in 2015 at a US Marshal's auction. Labelled as a “flown zippered lunar sample return bag with lunar dust”, it intrigued Carlson and she then sent the sample to NASA for verification.

Now comes the wacky part, NASA confirmed that the samples were genuine and refused to return them to Carlson.&nbsp;

She then filed a case against the space agency for wrongful confiscation and that...is how it came to be sold for more than $500,000.&nbsp;

A sample of moon dust collected by Neil Armstrong during the historic Apollo 11 mission, that first put humans on the Moon went under the hammer and was sold for a whopping $504,375 at an auction on Wednesday.

A sample of moon dust collected by Neil Armstrong during the historic Apollo 11 mission, that first put humans on the Moon went under the hammer and was sold for a whopping $504,375 at an auction on Wednesday. Even though this is a huge amount, the estimated auction price was much higher. As per Bonhams the auctioneers in charge of this sale, it was expected to sell for between $800,000 and $1.2 million. We’re sure you must be wondering how this lunar dust, which is bound to be a scientific sample came to be sold at a private auction. Well, it’s a really interesting and whacky story, but can be summed up as a ‘court order’. Also read | Lunar samples collected by Neil Armstrong, first person to walk on the Moon, are heading to auction Now for the full story. Let’s start with how this sample was collected. When Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin reached the lunar surface back in 1969, Armstrong told the Apollo Mission Control Centre, Houston, Texas, that the sand was “almost like powder”. He then proceeded to collect a sample and seal it in a Teflon bag. Solar wind regularly blasts the surface of the airless moon, adding an electric charge to the fine-grained dust, also known as regolith. This charge causes lunar regolith to ‘stick’ to everything, including the astronauts' boots, gloves, suits, cords, tools etc. Watch | A new frontier in space exploration This stickiness caused a little bit of sand to stick to the Teflon bag which was then kept in a zip-lock bag for safekeeping. This “sticky” bit of sand is what was sold in this auction. NASA has long argued that the lunar rocks and dust obtained during the Apollo flights are government property that cannot be acquired by private individuals. However, a couple of decades ago NASA had loaned that outer ziplock bag along with some other artefacts to the Cosmosphere space museum in Hutchinson, Kansas. From there, it disappeared. As per a report by National Geographic, in 2002 it was discovered that Max Ary, the museum’s co-founder had been smuggling museum artefacts for his personal gain and this bag was one of those items. Ary faced a three-year jail term and a $132,000 fine. Also read | Solar system's most distant planet presents unexplained shift in temperature The bag was then sold to Nancy Lee Carlson, for $995 in 2015 at a US Marshal's auction. Labelled as a “flown zippered lunar sample return bag with lunar dust”, it intrigued Carlson and she then sent the sample to NASA for verification. Now comes the wacky part, NASA confirmed that the samples were genuine and refused to return them to Carlson. She then filed a case against the space agency for wrongful confiscation and that...is how it came to be sold for more than $500,000.

This is how a NASA sample of lunar dust came to be sold at a public auction for $500,000

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