Abstract
Lunar dust has been an issue since the Apollo missions due to its detrimental effect on astronaut health and machine operability. A two-pronged approach consisting of a silicon-based spacesuit coating and a polyampholyte hydrogel bead wash system is employed to mitigate dust from spacesuits. Created using a sol-gel synthesis method, the TEOS-APTES/SiO 2 coating is uniform and adheres strongly to fabric while passively repelling lunar dust. Polyampholyte hydrogels are gentle on fabrics and are fabricated to have electro-chemical properties that actively attract lunar dust. This solution differs from current technologies as it is cost effective, prevents spacesuit degradation, and reduces 99% of lunar dust adherence.