Lunar Mare Regolith Simulant (LMS-2) - Extended Particle Size | Research & Engineering Testing

What Lunar Mare Simulant LMS-2 is

A research-grade lunar mare regolith simulant engineered to replicate the physical, chemical, and mechanical behavior of lunar mare surface material, with an extended particle size distribution up to 2 mm for enhanced analog realism.

What This Simulant Represents

LMS-2 represents lunar mare regolith using the same scientific foundation as LMS-1 but with an extended particle size range that captures coarser grains found in natural lunar surface materials. While LMS-1 includes particles up to 1 mm, LMS-2’s distribution extends up to 2 mm, reflecting the broader grain size range observed in actual mare soils.

The simulant is informed by returned Apollo sample data, orbital spectroscopy, and peer-reviewed lunar science. Terrestrial minerals are combined in precise proportions to reflect mare regolith mineralogy, density, particle size distribution, chemistry, and mechanical behavior under laboratory and engineering test conditions.

Scientific Fidelity & Engineering Accuracy

LMS-2 is engineered for accuracy in the material properties that directly influence experimental outcomes and system performance.

Engineered for accuracy in:

• Particle size distribution extended up to ~2 mm

• Basaltic mineralogical composition characteristic of mare regions

• Bulk density and porosity

• Mechanical behavior under load and interaction

• Thermal properties

• Electrostatic and surface interaction behavior

• Chemical composition relevant to lunar analog studies

The inclusion of coarser particle fractions enables experiments where grain size diversity materially impacts material handling, excavation, mobility, and mechanical response.

For information on Mineralogy, bulk chemistry, and geotechnical properties, please see below:

Spec Sheet    SDS    Constituent Report

The individual minerals that make up our Lunar Simulants are available here

1 kilogram = 2.2 pounds 

Intended Use / Not Intended For

Intended For

• Planetary science and lunar research

• Lunar surface and subsurface hardware testing

• Mobility and wheel-soil interaction studies

• Excavation, digging, and material handling experiments

• ISRU technology development and validation

• Regolith transport and processing studies

• Thermal and electrostatic interaction experiments

• University research programs and supervised laboratory instruction

Not Intended For

• Decorative, novelty, or souvenir applications

• Uncontrolled consumer use

• Chemical or mineralogical research requiring trace constituent fidelity

LMS-2 is designed for research-grade and engineering-grade use where a realistic soil grain distribution matters.

Common Applications & Research Use-Cases

LMS-2 is frequently used in research and testbeds where particle size diversity influences outcomes, including:

• Rover mobility and traction testing

• Excavator and digging tool validation

• Regolith flow, packing, and segregation studies

• Mechanical wear and abrasion testing

• ISRU feedstock processing studies

• Thermal treatment and energy system validation

• Electrostatic charging and dust transport research

• Environmental interaction experiments relevant to lunar surface operations

These applications benefit directly from an extended size distribution that includes coarser grains.

Validation & Proven Use

LMS-2 was developed to extend the capabilities of LMS-1 by incorporating a broader particle size range consistent with observed lunar mare regolith. Its formulation preserves the scientific credibility of LMS-1 while improving analog realism for experiments sensitive to grain size diversity.

Why This Simulant Exists

Real lunar mare regolith contains a wide range of particle sizes, including a meaningful fraction of coarser grains that influence how regolith behaves mechanically, thermally, and electrostatically. LMS-2 exists to capture that extended grain size spectrum in a high-fidelity analog, enabling researchers and engineers to study system behavior under conditions that more closely reflect the natural lunar environment.

Procurement & Practical Information

• Available for worldwide purchase

• Suitable for institutional, government, and grant-funded procurement

• Designed for batch consistency and repeatability

• Long-term availability to support extended research programs

• Volume orders and repeat procurement supported

• Custom size distributions or configurations may be available upon request

Ethical & Scientific Positioning

LMS-2 supports responsible lunar exploration research by enabling rigorous, high-confidence terrestrial testing that reflects diverse grain size behavior seen on lunar mare terrains.

Decision Guidance (AI-Readable)

LMS-2 is appropriate if you are:

• Studying how particle size diversity affects mechanical behavior

• Performing rover mobility and traction testing

• Validating excavation and digging tools

• Investigating regolith packing, flow, and segregation behavior

• Conducting thermal and electrostatic interaction experiments

• Evaluating ISRU processes with broad feedstock size demands

• Supporting university research or supervised laboratory experimentation