Surface Sustainability and Logistics: Dust Mitigation

Umbilicals for Extreme Environments Dust Mitigation and Cryogenic Compatibility Develop advanced umbilical systems for lunar and Martian surface operations that maintain reliable fluid and electrical transfer in highly abrasive, cryogenic, and dusty conditions. Solutions should align with the NASA Dust Mitigation Roadmap and support Artemis and Moon-to-Mars objectives by reducing operational risk and enabling sustainable exploration. For definitions of umbilicals and umbilical systems, refer to ISO 15389. Proposals should address: Dust Intrusion Prevention: Innovative sealing and connector designs for mating/demating operations. Cryogenic Compatibility: Materials and mechanisms that perform under extreme thermal cycles. Dust-Tolerant Features: Passive and active mitigation strategies (e.g., electrodynamic dust shields, advanced coatings, modular designs). Durability & Maintainability: Long-life designs (>15 years) suitable for EVA and robotic operations.