JMSS-1: a new Martian soil simulant

Xiaojia Zeng,Shijie Li,Junming Feng,Xiongyao Li,Nicole Spring,Shijie Wang,Yang Li,Hong Tang

doi:10.1186/s40623-015-0248-5

Abstract

Abstract It is important to develop Martian soil simulants that can be used in Mars exploration programs and Mars research. A new Martian soil simulant, called Jining Martian Soil Simulant (JMSS-1), was developed at the Lunar and Planetary Science Research Center at the Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences. The raw materials of JMSS-1 are Jining basalt and Fe oxides (magnetite and hematite). JMSS-1 was produced by mechanically crushing Jining basalt with the addition of small amounts of magnetite and hematite. The properties of this simulant, including chemical composition, mineralogy, particle size, mechanical properties, reflectance spectra, dielectric properties, volatile content, and hygroscopicity, have been analyzed. On the basis of these test results, it was demonstrated that JMSS-1 is an ideal Martian soil simulant in terms of chemical composition, mineralogy, and physical properties. JMSS-1 would be an appropriate choice as a Martian soil simulant in scientific and engineering experiments in China’s Mars exploration in the future.

Highlights

With the continuous development of the Chang’E lunar exploration program (Chang’E-1, Chang’E-2, and Chang’E-3), Mars exploration has become one of the key missions of China’s deep space exploration program.Martian soil, covering the entire surface of Mars, is an unconsolidated material which has a direct effect on the locomotion performance of the Mars Lander/Rover and the performance of other aerospace equipment (Bishop and Dummel 1996; Arvidson et al 2004a, b)
Considering the specific requirements of a Martian soil simulant, the source rock for development of the simulant was selected following these two principles: (1) it has a similar chemical composition and mineralogy to Martian basaltic rock, which contains lower levels of Al2O3 and higher levels of total Fe compare to terrestrial basalt, and (2) it can be acquired in large quantities
These results show that Jining basalt is similar to Backstay rock and Bounce rock in geochemical composition, except it is higher in Al2O3 and lower in total Fe (Rieder et al 2004; McSween et al 2006)

Summary

Introduction

Martian soil, covering the entire surface of Mars, is an unconsolidated material which has a direct effect on the locomotion performance of the Mars Lander/Rover and the performance of other aerospace equipment (Bishop and Dummel 1996; Arvidson et al 2004a, b). In order to better prepare for orbiter and landing missions to Mars, it is essential to carry out a series of ground experiments using Martian soil before a robotic mission is launched to explore the surface of Mars (Marlow et al 2008). No samples of Martian soil have been collected, even though Mars exploration activities have been carried out about 40 times within the last five decades. In view of the lack of any Martian soil samples, a Martian soil simulant, as a substitute material for Martian soil, should be developed to replace real Martian soil to be used

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion