A brief review of theoretical studies of circumlunar dusty plasma, the important factors in the formation of which are electrostatic processes and impacts of micrometeoroids on the lunar surface, is given. Observation data of dust particles in the vicinity of the Moon, obtained within the “Luna-25” mission, are described for the first time. It is shown that there is at least one reliable observation of a dust particle either of lunar origin or associated with the high-speed Perseid stream. The need to improve the Lunar Dust Monitor device on the “Luna-27” lander is discussed. The improvement is associated with the need to install a rod for placing electrostatic sensors at a sufficient distance from the device, which is desirable to reduce disturbances of the surrounding plasma and the near-surface electrostatic field because of the influence of the lander.

Since the first automatic missions to the Moon, the activity of dust particles from atmosphereless bodies has been recorded. Since then, a lot of theoretical and experimental studies of this effect have been carried out, but at present there is no clear understanding of the influence of external actions on the dynamics of this phenomenon. This paper presents the results of experiments to determine the effect of hard UV radiation on the activity of dust particles, which makes a significant contribution to particle dynamics. The result of determining the conditions for particle removal from the surface is in accordance with theoretical calculations.

Space dust and dusty (complex) plasma are one of the most common manifestations of matter in space. Non-atmospheric bodies of the Solar System, such as the Moon, asteroids, comets, some satellites of the planets, are directly affected by external factors of outer space—solar electromagnetic radiation, interplanetary plasma flows, cosmic rays, micrometeors. Under the influence of these factors, regolith is formed on the surface of bodies during geological epochs. Under the influence of impacts of high-speed micrometeors, dust particles of regolith scatter at different speeds. Most of them return to the surface, but some form dust clouds or lose their gravitational connection with the parent body. Under the action of solar radiation, the surface acquires an electric charge, and dust particles under certain conditions can break away from the regolith surface and levitate. Observational evidence of such dynamic phenomena has been recorded on the Moon and on some asteroids. The study of the physical processes responsible for the activation of dust particles and their dynamics is of great interest for fundamental science and practical purposes. The article discusses the main processes occurring under the influence of outer space factors on regolith, as a result of which dust particles move and a near-surface plasma-dust exosphere is formed. Unresolved issues are discussed. Methods and means of laboratory modeling in studying the activation and dynamics of dust particles are considered.

The Dust Complex (DC) instrument was designed to be installed on the landing platform of the ExoMars project. The purpose of the experiment is to study the dynamics of dust particles in the near-surface atmosphere of Mars and to evaluate the main characteristics of the near-surface medium that determine their dynamics. The device makes it possible to register dust particles in the near-surface atmosphere of Mars, determine the main parameters and measure some characteristics of the plasma-dust medium related to the dynamics of dust particles near the Martian surface. The article provides a description of the device, its blocks and sensors, the main elements of the measurement program and characteristics of the measured parameters.

The program of scientific research of the Luna-25 lunar lander includes the experiment "Dust monitoring of the Moon" (in Russian, "Pylevoi monitoring Luny" (PmL)), which provides for the study of the dynamics of lunar microparticles and parameters of the near-surface dusty plasma. Using the PmL instrument, it is planned to record for a long time individual microparticles above the lunar surface, to measure and evaluate their physical characteristics (momentum, velocity, charge, mass, and concentration), as well as to monitor the dynamics of the parameters of the near-surface dusty plasma environment (density, temperature, and potential). The instrument has passed successfully the entire range of ground tests.

The dusty plasmas on the Moon are investigating through the direct detection of the dust particle fluxes on the lunar surface and through the measurements of the parameters of ambient plasma. The PmL instrument is the first device developed both to detect dust particles and to determine the characteristics of the plasma environment. The PmL instrument mounted on future Russian lunar missions Luna-25 and Luna-27 is described in the article. The suggested landing sites of the stations are situated nearby the Boguslavsky crater (nearby 70° south latitude of Moon). The values of the lunar surface potential, Debye length and electric field at a latitude of 70° were obtained in this paper. The distribution of the dust particles near the selected latitudes was also determined. A brief description of the methods for detecting the dusty plasma parameters near the lunar surface was suggested.

В работе экспериментально показана возможность использования бытового смартфона со встроенной КМОП-матричной видеокамерой в качестве детектора и спектрометра ионизирующего поля на самолетах гражданской и военной авиации. Предложен обобщенный алгоритм и описана методика построения спектров удельной энергии ионизирующих частиц, зарегистрированных в процессе полетного эксперимента. Разработан макрос, позволяющий определить факт наличия событий (следов частиц, треков или засветок) в стеке кадров, который в значительной степени сокращает общее время набора статистических данных для построения итогового спектра. In this work has experimentally shown the possibility of using a household smartphone with an integrated CMOS video camera as a detector and spectrometer for ionizing field on aircrafts. A generalized algorithm and methodology for constructing the spectrum of specific energy ionizing particles recorded during a flight experiment is proposed. A special macro has been developed that allows one to determine the fact of the presence of events (particle traces, tracks, or highlights) in the frame stack, which significantly reduces the total time of collecting statistical data for constructing the final spectrum.

It has been shown experimentally that, in a complex field of ionizing particles generated by cosmic rays, the highest values of the specific absorbed energy and, therefore, the density of charge formed during the ionization correspond to the locations of ion stopping. The modeling shows that, in the same locations, the ratio of the energy absorption by the nuclear continuum to the ionizing particle energy absorption by the electronic continuum of the medium linearly depends on the mass of the projectile.

Although many efforts have been made to ensure the radiation resistance of spacecraft equipment, the active life of space instruments and onboard astrophysical equipment is limited to a large extent by the action of ionizing cosmic rays. Hence, it is necessary to refine the techniques used to predict the radiation resistance, improve the methods for monitoring radiation fields aboard spacecrafts, and find more effective ways to provide radiation protection of the electronic components.