SRT Regolith Simulant Training

Flashcards based on about SRT regolith simulants.

What is regolith?

Loose, unconsolidated rock and dust covering solid rock on celestial bodies.

Why are regolith simulants used?

Hardware testing, ISRU research, engineering, and education.

What does LHS stand for?

Lunar Highlands Simulant

What lunar region does LHS replicate?

Lighter, mountainous lunar highlands, a key area for Artemis missions.

Main mineral in LHS-1?

Anorthosite (74.42%)

What are the particle size differences between LHS-1, LHS-2, and LHS-1D?

LHS-1: Up to 1mm, LHS-2: Up to 2mm, LHS-1D: Dust version (<25 µm)

What does LMS stand for?

Lunar Mare Simulant

What lunar region does LMS replicate?

The darker, basaltic regions of the Moon (lunar maria)

Main mineral in LMS-1?

Bronzite (32.75%)

What are the particle size differences between LMS-1, LMS-2, and LMS-1D?

LMS-1: Up to 1mm, LMS-2: Up to 2mm, LMS-1D: Dust (<25 µm)

What does the 'E' stand for in LHS-1E and LHS-2E?

Engineering Grade

What is the composition of Engineering Grade Simulants?

Anorthosite (75%) and Basalt (25%)

Key differences between LHS-1E and LHS-2E?

LHS-1E omits minor minerals, LHS-2E is coarser (up to 2mm)

What does LSP stand for?

Lunar South Pole

What does LSP replicate?

Regions like the South Pole-Aitken Basin, where water ice may be present

Composition of LSP simulant?

Anorthosite (90%), Basalt (10%)

What is an agglutinate?

A glass-rich particle formed by micrometeorite impacts fusing regolith components.

How are agglutinates made?

Using solar sintering with Fresnel lenses.

Why does particle size matter?

Influences handling, flow, and mobility; dust behaves electrostatically.

Why does mineralogy matter?

Dictates chemical behavior, thermal properties, and ISRU potential; accurate mineralogy = accurate chemistry and physical response.

How was the Moon formed?

Giant Impact Hypothesis: A Mars-sized body (Theia) collided with Earth ~4.5 BYA

What features shape the Moon's surface?

Craters from impacts, maria from lava flows (mostly basalt), highlands of anorthosite, ejecta rays from crater formation

Describe the top layer of lunar regolith.

Powdery, glassy, electrostatically charged

Describe the layer below the top layer of lunar regolith

Compacted, rocky, hard to dig

What do CI-type asteroid simulants simulate?

Orgueil meteorite, rich in water & organics

What do CM-type asteroid simulants simulate?

Murchison meteorite, 70+ amino acids

Importance of asteroid simulants?

Clues to solar system origin, hydrated minerals = water extraction

What is the MGS-1 series based on?

Curiosity's Rocknest soil

What does MGS-1S include?

Gypsum

What does MGS-1C include?

Smectite clay

What is JEZ-1 based on?

Perseverance at Jezero Crater

What does JEZ-1 contain?

Carbonates, basaltic fines

Concentration of Mars perchlorates?

Present at 0.4–0.6%

What are the effects of Mars perchlorates?

Highly oxidizing, affects ISRU and habitability

What does XRD (X-ray Diffraction) identify?

Minerals in simulants

What does XRF (X-ray Fluorescence) identify?

Elemental composition

Apollo lunar samples weight?

382 kg

How are minerals selected for simulants?

Based on Apollo data & XRD/XRF

How are simulant recipes fine-tuned?

Adjust mineral proportions, match grain size, porosity, density, tune for specific engineering use cases

What does LHS stand for?

Lunar Highlands Simulant

What is the main mineral in LHS simulants?

Anorthosite

What does the 'E' mean in LHS-1E?

Engineering Grade

What particle size range does LMS-1D replicate?

Under 25 µm

What are agglutinates made from?

Glass formed from micrometeorite impacts

Why do we care about mineralogy in simulants?

It mimics chemical and physical properties

What does MGS-1C contain that MGS-1 does not?

Clay minerals

What is XRF used for?

Measuring elemental composition

What does LMS stand for?

Lunar Mare Simulant

Which region is richer in ilmenite?

Lunar Mare

Which simulant would be best for studying solar sintering effects on dusty material?

LHS-1D

What causes lunar regolith to be electrostatically active?

Solar radiation and fine particle size

What does JEZ-1 simulate?

Jezero Crater on Mars

What is the particle size range for LHS-2?

Up to 2mm

What is the origin of most Moon dust?

Micrometeorite impacts

Why do we make engineering-grade simulants?

They're cheaper and optimized for hardware testing

What is the dominant mineral in lunar highlands?

Anorthosite

What is the purpose of XRD analysis?

To identify mineral composition

Which Mars simulant includes perchlorates?

All Mars regolith simulants

What are hydrated minerals important for?

Water extraction

Which simulant is based on the Curiosity rover’s site?

MGS-1

What is the South Pole-Aitken Basin known for?

Water ice deposits

What mineral is notably absent in LHS-1E?

Bronzite

Which type of regolith particle is glassy and fused?

Agglutinate

Why is particle size important for ISRU testing?

It influences mechanical and chemical behavior

What mission collected samples from asteroid Ryugu?

Hayabusa2

Which mission collected samples from Bennu?

OSIRIS-REx

Why is regolith simulant important for education?

It replicates realistic planetary conditions for learning

Which Mars site is known for carbonates?

Jezero Crater

What is one challenge with real lunar dust?

It's sticky and abrasive

Why is ilmenite valuable for ISRU?

It contains iron and titanium

Which simulant replicates the most water-rich meteorites?

CM-type asteroid simulant

What is the main function of a regolith simulant recipe?

Match mineral ratios, size, and texture

What does 'basaltic fines' refer to?

Small particles of basalt

Why does dust present a hazard on the Moon?

It can cause wear on equipment and clog seals