The article is devoted to the consideration of physical processes associated with the influence of external factors of outer space — micrometeoroid flows, solar radiation on the lunar regolith. Under the influence of these factors, regolith microparticles can detach from the surface and levitate. Near-surface plasma and levitating dust particles form the plasma-dust exosphere of the Moon. With anthropogenic impact on the lunar environment, charged levitating microparticles can have an extremely negative impact on the engineering systems of landers, the activity and health of astronauts on the Moon. The article analyzes modern ideas about the physical processes near the surface of the Moon, obtained by automatic lunar vehicles, as well as during laboratory experiments. The unresolved problems associated with the plasma-dust exosphere of the Moon are considered, and the main ways of their solutions are outlined.