NASA Advances Lunar Landing Safety with New Plume-Surface Tests
NASA has commenced a new phase of plume-surface interaction (PSI) testing at its Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia. The tests, conducted inside a 60-foot spherical vacuum chamber, are designed to better understand the hazards associated with lunar landings.
The testing campaign involves two propulsion systems: an ethane plume system and a hybrid rocket motor. The ethane system, developed by NASA's Stennis Space Center and operated by Purdue University, produces approximately 100 pounds-force of thrust. Meanwhile, the hybrid rocket motor, built by Utah State University and tested at the Marshall Space Flight Center, generates around 35 pounds-force of thrust using a GOX/ABS fuel mix.
Each test firing lasts about six seconds and is conducted using a bin filled with a lunar regolith simulant known as Black Point-1. The tests aim to measure various factors, including crater formation, ejecta sheet geometry, and the spatial distribution and speed of regolith particles.
The Stereo Cameras for Lunar Plume Surface Studies (SCALPSS) are utilized to capture detailed imagery and data. This system previously imaged the Blue Ghost Mission-1 landing in 2025.
NASA's testing campaign involves collaboration with multiple NASA centers, universities, and commercial partners. The modular setup of the tests allows for adaptation to simulate Martian conditions, enhancing the versatility of the research.