NASA Uses Supercomputer to Simulate Lunar Landing Risks for Artemis Missions

New software tools predict the environmental impact of engine plumes, aiding in risk minimization for future lunar missions.

NASA has developed new software tools to simulate the environmental impact of engine plumes on the Moon for upcoming missions, using the Pleiades supercomputer at NASA’s Ames Research Center.
The simulations show how the engine plumes of NASA's Apollo 12 lander interacted with the lunar surface when the vehicle touched down in November 1969.
The rocket engines blast supersonic plumes of hot gas towards the surface, kicking up dust, rock and other debris which can obstruct vision, interfere with navigation and instruments on board the spacecraft, or cause damage to the lander and other nearby hardware.
The landers being developed for the Artemis program are larger and therefore run a greater risk of eroding the surface and possibly forming craters at the landing spot, which would jeopardize the lander’s stability.
The new software will help improve engineers’ understanding of plume-surface interactions and are already being used to predict cratering and visual obscuration on upcoming lunar missions.