NASA's Perseverance rover is carrying small samples of spacesuit material among its scientific and navigation equipment to help researchers assess how Martian dust could affect astronauts and their equipment. Each sample measures less than 6.5 square centimeters.
A study led by Scott VanBommel of Washington University in St. Louis examined the samples' exposure to Mars dust, along with other materials including Teflon. The findings, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, indicate that the samples showed little visible wear after 1,645 Martian days.
The researchers found that Martian dust particles appear smoother than the jagged grains observed on the Moon. According to VanBommel, prolonged exposure to wind may have rounded the Martian particles, potentially making them less likely to scratch surfaces or irritate the lungs than Lunar Dust. Apollo astronauts experienced scratched visors, damaged spacesuits and dust contamination inside the lunar module.
However, the study identified a separate concern: the extreme fineness of some Martian particles. VanBommel's analysis estimated that certain grains may be as small as 100 nanometers across. Particles of this scale can pose health risks on Earth because they may reach deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream. Future habitats, spacesuits and filtration systems will therefore need to account for these microscopic particles, even though astronauts would not breathe Mars' atmosphere directly.
Electrostatic properties may also cause Martian dust to adhere preferentially to certain surfaces, said co-author Abigail knight. In addition, data from Perseverance's PIXL instrument showed that the dust contains perchlorates and other potentially toxic compounds, as well as elevated levels of sulfur, iron and silica.
The potential health impact would depend on the amount and duration of exposure, but the chemical composition adds another consideration for planning human missions to Mars. The researchers describe Perseverance and earlier rovers as both scientific tools and practical tests of technologies that could support future exploration.
The paper, titled "Fine and ultrafine Martian dust presents additional risks for future crewed missions to Mars," was published in 2026 and has the DOI 10.1073/pnas.2620747123.
Sources: Phys.org.