The Laboratory
The Electrostatics and Surface Physics Laboratory at the NASA Kennedy Space Center is the premier NASA research facility dedicated to investigation in electrostatics and surface physics problems with applications to space flight and planetary exploration. The laboratory is currently carrying out electrostatic analyses and materials characterization to assist in the detection, mitigation, and prevention of electrostatic charge generation on space flight hardware and Space Shuttle ground support equipment.
The laboratory is involved in NASA's Lunar Exploration program, developing technologies for the mitigation of lunar dust deposition on spacesuits, optical instruments, thermal radiators, solar panels, and other equipment during lunar exploration missions. The laboratory, in collaboration with NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, has developed instrumentation for planetary exploration missions, in an effort to characterize the electrostatic properties of the environment.
Some recent and ongoing research projects in the laboratory include: