Planetary Simulant Database
Free Resource for Regolith Simulant Information
Mineralogy
No data available
Bulk Chemistry
Oxide | Wt.% |
---|---|
SiO2 | 68.24 |
TiO2 | 0.06 |
Al2O3 | 1.40 |
FeO2O3 | 0.13 |
MgO | 5.21 |
CaO | 9.06 |
MnO | 0.01 |
Na2O | 13.4 |
K2O | 1.07 |
P2O5 | 0.33 |
SO3 | 0.08 |
Total | 98.99 |
Physical Properties
An extensive description of physical properties is given in Just, G. H. et al. (2020).
Property | Value |
---|---|
Minimum bulk density (g/cm3) | 1.05 |
Maximum bulk density (g/cm3) | 1.44 |
Specific gravity | 2.26 |
UoM-W University of Manchester White
Simulant Name: University of Manchester White
Availability: May Be Available
Fidelity: Basic
Developed By: University of Manchester
Available From: N/A
Publications: Just, G. H. et al. (2020), Geotechnical Characterisation of Two New Low-Fidelity Lunar Regolith Analogues (UoM-B and UoM-W) for Use in Large-Scale Engineering Experiments. Acta Astronautica, in press.
UoM-W and the companion simulant UoM-B are two basic lunar simulants produced by the University of Manchester. The main constraint was finding a material available in large volumes for low cost, and the simulants are made from existing industrial materials. UoM-W (white) is made from something described as a "vitreous dust", which is crushed, dried and graded glass sand. From the bulk chemistry it is clear this is some kind of soda lime glass. The material was supplied by a UK company called "Specialist Aggregates", and other users may be able to purchase those same materials.