Lunar soils, simulants and lunar construction materials: An overview

Toklu, Yusuf Cengiz; Akpınar, Pınar

doi:10.1016/j.asr.2022.05.017

Cited by 42 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 65 publications

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“…Although this work uses just one example of a lunar regolith simulant, several others have been developed that represent the chemical and physical properties of regolith, to varying degrees of accuracy (Toklu and Akpinar, 2022). The assumptions in the model used here, evidently, do not lead to a perfect representation of LMS-1 behaviour.…”

Section: Limitations and Future Workmentioning

confidence: 99%

Verification of a virtual lunar regolith simulant

Louca,

Vrublevskis,

Eder

et al. 2024

Front. Space Technol.

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Introduction: Physical regolith simulants are valuable tools for developing In-Situ Resource Utilisation hardware. However, using virtual models of regolith instead can reduce costs, limit exposure to hazardous materials, and offer a practical method of testing the effects of reduced gravity.Methods: We verify a virtual model of regolith as macroparticles against physical tests. Using space partitioning techniques to identify neighbouring particles, we present a scalable model of regolith, in which the computation time increases roughly proportionally with the number of particles. We evaluated the performance of this virtual simulant vs. a physical simulant (Exolith LMS-1) by comparing the flow rate through funnels of various diameters, and the resultant angle of repose of material on both large (500 g) and small (16 g) scale tests.Results: For large scale tests, the flow rates were within the predicted range for macroparticles with radii 3–7 mm, with the greatest accuracy achieved for radii 4–5 mm. However, the macroparticles blocked the simulated funnels more easily than in the physical trials, due to their high cohesion. The angle of repose was not accurately represented by this model for either of the tests.Discussion: The high efficiency of this model makes it best suited for applications which require large scale approximations of regolith with real-time execution, such as virtual training for robot operators or providing visual and haptic feedback in model-mediated teleoperation systems. The results of this model in reduced gravity could be further verified against data from upcoming lunar missions in future work.

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Section: Limitations and Future Workmentioning

confidence: 99%

Verification of a virtual lunar regolith simulant

Louca,

Vrublevskis,

Eder

et al. 2024

Front. Space Technol.

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“…As the radiation intensity increases from 1173.24 keV to 1332.50 keV, the growth rate of the radiation attenuation coefficient with increasing material density increases to 0.08 [24]. The density of the lunar regolith samples ranges from 1.2 to 3.2 g/cm 3 . The formation of geopolymers in the lunar regolith after alkali activation results in higher densities [2,88].…”

Section: Radiationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The formation of geopolymers in the lunar regolith after alkali activation results in higher densities [2,88]. The density of the lunar regolith samples ranges from 1.2 to 3.2 g/cm 3 . The formation of geopolymers in the lunar regolith after alkali activation results in higher densities [2,88].…”

Section: Radiationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Table 2 summarizes the temperature conditions observed on the lunar surface, ranging from −233 °C to 140 °C. The temperature difference between lunar daylight and sunset is significant, and the lunar day and night cycle is long, with one lunar day equaling 28 earth days [ 3 ]. Previous studies indicate that geopolymers can adapt to the extreme temperatures of the lunar surface.…”

Section: Geopolymer Materialsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Based on the remote sensing information obtained from the Apollo, Luna, and Chang’E lunar exploration mission series and the study of in-situ lunar regolith sampled from the lunar surface, it has been realized that the lunar environment contains rich resources. The course and goal of the lunar exploration project are shown in Figure 1 [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]. As space exploration expands in depth and breadth, the traditional space transportation methods originating from Earth will gradually show their limitations.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Lunar Regolith Geopolymer Concrete for In-Situ Construction of Lunar Bases: A Review

Zheng,

Zhao,

Sun

et al. 2024

Polymers

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The construction of lunar bases represents a fundamental challenge for deep space exploration, lunar research, and the exploitation of lunar resources. In-situ resource utilization (ISRU) technology constitutes a pivotal tool for constructing lunar bases. Using lunar regolith to create geopolymers as construction materials offers multiple advantages as an ISRU technique. This paper discusses the principle of geopolymer for lunar regolith, focusing on the reaction principle of geopolymer. It also analyzes the applicability of geopolymer under the effects of the lunar surface environment and the differences between the highland and mare lunar regolith. This paper summarizes the characteristics of existing lunar regolith simulants and the research on the mechanical properties of lunar regolith geopolymers using lunar regolith simulants. Highland lunar regolith samples contain approximately 36% amorphous substances, the content of silicon is approximately 28%, and the ratios of Si/Al and Si/Ca are approximately 1.5 and 2.6, respectively. They are more suitable as precursor materials for geopolymers than mare samples. The compressive strength of lunar regolith geopolymer is mainly in the range of 18~30 MPa. Sodium silicate is the most commonly utilized activator for lunar regolith geopolymers; alkalinity in the range of 7% to 10% and modulus in the range of 0.8 to 2.0 are suitable. A vacuum environment and multiple temperature cycles reduce the mechanical properties of geopolymers by 8% to 70%. Future research should be concentrated on the precision control of the lunar regolith’s chemical properties and the alkali activation efficacy of geopolymers in the lunar environment.

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