The Electrostatics and Surface Physics Laboratory at the NASA Kennedy Space Center is the premier NASA research facility dedicated to investigations in electrostatics and surface physics problems with applications to space flight and planetary exploration. The lab is currently carrying out electrostatic analyses and materials characterization to assist in the detection, mitigation, and prevention of electrostatic charge generation on space flight hardware and Space Shuttle ground support equipment. The lab is also involved in dust mitigation efforts for lunar and Martian exploration.

The laboratory, in collaboration with the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and several universities, is developing instrumentation for planetary exploration missions, in particular landing missions to Mars and the moon that will characterize the electrostatic properties of those environment. Current research projects include the development of embedded electrostatic sensors, the development of sensors for charge monitoring on semiconductors, the development of active dust shields for lunar and Martian missions, the study of the electrostatic interactions of dust particles under flow, development of a multisensor electrometer for planetary missions, breakdown discharges at different atmospheric pressures, research work in the fundamental physics of charge exchange and triboelectricity, development of fiber optic sensors for spacecraft, spacecraft charge meter, and field emitting coatings.