Thanks BenLurkin. The astronauts who went to the Moon remarked that, once they were back in the LM, the lunar material that had stuck to their suits and boots made the place smell like gunpowder.
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Posted on 05/28/2015 4:02:36 PM PDT by BenLurkin
The surface of the Moon is covered with a fine powdery material that scientists refer to it as “lunar regolith”. Nearly the entire lunar surface is covered with regolith, and bedrock is only visible on the walls of very steep craters.
The Moon regolith was formed over billions of years by constant meteorite impacts on the surface of the Moon. Scientists estimate that the lunar regolith extends down 4-5 meters in some places, and even as deep as 15 meters in the older highland areas.
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However, landings performed by robotic Surveyor spacecraft showed that the lunar soil was firm enough to support a spacecraft, and astronauts later explained that the surface of the Moon felt very firm beneath their feet. During the Apollo landings, the astronauts often found it necessary to use a hammer to drive a core sampling tool into it.
Once astronauts reached the surface, they reported that the fine moon dust stuck to their spacesuits and then dusted the inside of the lunar lander. The astronauts also claimed that it got into their eyes, making them red; and worse, even got into their lungs, giving them coughs. Lunar dust is very abrasive, and has been noted for its ability to wear down spacesuits and electronics.
The reason for this is because lunar regolith is sharp and jagged. This is due to the fact that the Moon has no atmosphere or flowing water on it, and hence no natural weathering process.
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As NASA is working on plans to send humans back to the Moon in the coming years, researchers are working to learn the best ways to work with the lunar regolith. Future colonists could mine minerals, water, and even oxygen out of the lunar soil, and use it to manufacture bases with as well.
(Excerpt) Read more at universetoday.com ...
Thanks BenLurkin. The astronauts who went to the Moon remarked that, once they were back in the LM, the lunar material that had stuck to their suits and boots made the place smell like gunpowder.
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Whoops, thanks!
:’) He discusses the depth of the feet of the lander, just before he steps off onto the surface. :’) That was a pretty good day.
And that explains why we don’t settle the moon...
It would keep the ATF busy.
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