ABSTRACT
The atmosphere of Mars contains significant amounts of suspended dust, and in any mission to Mars it will be impossible to avoid contact with this dust. Martian dust storms containing fine particles (submicrometer to 50 |Lim in diameter) are a serious problem to solar cells, spacecraft, and spacesuits [1,2]. The dust may also possess a high electrostatic charge due to tribocharging by contact with other particles or materials, or photoionization by the intense UV radiation. Because of the possibility of high charge on dust particles and resulting strong adhesion forces, deposition of dust onto support equipment could damage or hinder correct functionality of the equipment, reducing the mission lifetime.
