Search Here

On Earth dust storm might be just a kind of nuisance but on Mars it creates deadly havoc sometimes completely destroying the sensitive equipments sent by our scientists. 

Therefore researchers have created a chamber that stimulates the Martian surface enabling scientists to pre-check their equipments in that scenario before sending them to the planet. 

The lab developed by researchers in Spain is a vacuum chamber that re-creates Martian environment comprising factors such as pressure, temperature, atmosphere, radiation levels and most importantly dust.

Specifically, the chamber would be creating an atmosphere with more than 100 times less pressure than Earth, temperatures ranging from -265 degrees Fahrenheit to positive 301 degrees Fahrenheit and a gaseous mix that is 95 percent carbon dioxide. 

Scientists have used two sieves with openings just 63 microns wide (thickness same as of a human hair). These sieves jiggle around to release the dust, replicating the random pattern which is normal on the Martian surface. 

"We're simulating the effect of the Martian dust -- one of the primary problems for planetary exploration -- to gain a better understanding of how instruments behave when covered in dust," said Jesus Sobrado, the scientist in charge of the machine's technical development in a statement.

Dust is downright deadly on Mars because its made up of silicates which if inhaled into the lungs turn into dangerous chemicals. 

It's also composed of extremely tiny particles that have been smashed to bits after millions of years of blowing around on a planet with a thin, dry atmosphere. That means even a super-duper airlock might not filter all the pesky particles out, reported CNET.

The developments of the research has been published in the Review of Scientific Instruments.