Mars dust removal technology

The Mars atmosphere contains a significant load of suspended dust. Settling of atmospheric dust onto the surface of the solar array is potentially a lifetime limiting factor for a power system on any Mars mission. For long-term operation of arrays on Mars, it may be necessary to develop techniques to remove deposited dust. Dust is expected to adhere to the array by Van der Waals adhesive forces. These forces are quite strong at the dust particle sizes expected. If the array surface is insulating, it is possible that they may also be subject to electrostatic adhesion, which may be extremely strong. Dust removal methods must overcome this force. Dust removal methods can be categorized briefly into four categories: natural, mechanical, electromechanical, and electrostatic. The environment of Mars is expected to be an ideal one for use of electrostatic dust removal techniques