Modification of Roberts' Theory for Rocket Exhaust Plumes Eroding Lunar Soil

TL;DR

This paper updates Roberts' lunar soil erosion model to better predict the impact of rocket exhaust on lunar surface and hardware, aiding future lunar landing planning.

Contribution

It introduces modifications to Roberts' model to improve predictions of soil erosion, particle ejection, and hardware impact for future lunar missions.

Findings

Model predictions align with Apollo measurements

Estimated soil removal and particle trajectories

Guidelines for mitigating lunar soil spray

Abstract

Roberts' model of lunar soil erosion beneath a landing rocket has been updated in several ways to predict the effects of future lunar landings. The model predicts, among other things, the number of divots that would result on surrounding hardware due to the impact of high velocity particulates, the amount and depth of surface material removed, the volume of ejected soil, its velocity, and the distance the particles travel on the Moon. The results are compared against measured results from the Apollo program and predictions are made for mitigating the spray around a future lunar outpost.