{"id":521033,"date":"2026-08-26T23:58:04","date_gmt":"2026-08-26T13:58:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/?p=1041141"},"modified":"2026-08-26T23:58:04","modified_gmt":"2026-08-26T13:58:04","slug":"nasa-begins-moon-mission-plume-surface-interaction-tests","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?p=521033","title":{"rendered":"NASA Begins Moon Mission Plume-Surface Interaction Tests"},"content":{"rendered":"
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5 Min Read<\/div>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNASA Begins Moon Mission Plume-Surface Interaction Tests\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h1>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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\"A<\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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A run of the plume-surface interaction testing with the ethane nozzle firing into the simulated lunar dirt.<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\tCredits: <\/span>
\n\t\t\t\t\t\tNASA<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

EDITOR\u2019S NOTE: This story, originally published in December<\/a>, was revised Aug. 26, 2026 with an update on a new phase of testing, including video from a recent test run and new images.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

To help NASA and commercial partners better understand the science of lunar landings, specifically the hazards that may occur when a lander\u2019s engine plumes blast away at lunar dust, soil, and rocks, a team at NASA\u2019s Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia, has initiated a series of plume-surface interaction tests inside a massive 60-foot spherical vacuum chamber.<\/p>\n

As NASA works to return humans to the Moon starting with Artemis IV in 2028 and develop a Moon Base, the tests will provide a trove of data for researchers to use to improve predictive models and influence the design of space hardware.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis plume-surface interaction ground test is the most complex test of its kind to be undertaken in a vacuum chamber,\u201d said Ashley Korzun, testing lead at NASA Langley. \u201cIf I’m in a spacecraft and I\u2019m going to move all that regolith while landing, some of that’s going to hit my lander. Some of it\u2019s going to go out toward other things \u2014 payloads, science experiments, eventually rovers and other assets. Understanding those physics is pivotal to ensuring crew safety and mission success.\u201d<\/p>\n

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