Lunar Dust and Duct Tape
Explanation:
Why is the
Moon dusty?
On Earth, rocks are weathered by wind and water, creating soil and sand.
On the Moon, the long history of
micrometeorite bombardment
has blasted away at
the rocky surface creating a layer of powdery
lunar soil or regolith.
This lunar regolith could be a
scientific and
industrial
bonanza.
But for the Apollo astronauts and
their equipment,
the pervasive, fine, gritty dust was definitely a problem.
On the lunar surface in December 1972,
Apollo 17
astronauts Harrison Schmitt and Eugene Cernan
needed to repair one of their
lunar rover's fenders
in an effort to keep the
"rooster tails" of dust away from themselves and their gear.
This picture reveals the wheel and fender of their dust covered rover
along with the ingenious application of spare maps,
clamps, and a grey strip of "duct tape".
Authors & editors:
Robert Nemiroff
(MTU) &
Jerry Bonnell
(USRA)
NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings,
and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris.
Specific
rights apply.
A service of:
LHEA at
NASA /
GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
