Surface dust blown by a lunar lander is a threat to operations and assets. Multi-national lunar exploitation makes this a potential defense problem. To aid prediction and protection, we are developing a lander-mounted laser-based instrument to obtain empirical particle-size distributions in ejecta plumes. The method is based on analysis of laser propagation decay at multiple wavelengths. System design depends on expected laser propagation decay lengths in the cloud of lunar particles lofted by the lander rockets. We present laboratory experiments to confirm theoretical expectations for laser propagation decay constants for independently known particle size distributions. The method of extracting particle size distributions from measured decay constants at multiple wavelengths is demonstrated. Predictions are made for decay constants in lunar plumes with representative regolith size distributions and minerology.
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