Lunar South Pole Regolith Simulant (LSP-2) - Research & Hardware Testing

What Lunar South Pole Simulant LSP-2 is

A high-fidelity lunar south pole regolith simulant engineered to replicate the mineralogy, particle size, and geotechnical properties of regolith found in permanently shadowed and polar terrain, for scientific research, hardware testing, and environmental response studies.

What This Simulant Represents

LSP-2 simulates the regolith found at the south pole of the Moon - terrain characterized by its feldspathic (anorthosite-rich) composition with basaltic components and particle size distributions informed by remote sensing and returned Apollo sample analog studies.

This region is the focus of upcoming Artemis and commercial exploration efforts, including studies of volatile processes, surface interactions, and human-robotic system performance in extreme polar environments. LSP-2’s particle size distribution is targeted to match real lunar polar soil up to 2 mm, and custom size distributions are available upon request.

LSP-2’s mineralogy, chemistry, and geotechnical characteristics are designed to behave similarly to actual lunar south pole regolith under terrestrial laboratory conditions, enabling realistic testing and comparative studies.

Scientific Fidelity & Engineering Accuracy

LSP-2 provides controlled, repeatable analog material for experiments where regolith properties directly influence outcomes.

Engineered for accuracy in:

• Particle size distribution matched to lunar south pole soil (up to ~2 mm)
  

• Feldspathic and basaltic mineralogy representative of polar terrain
  

• Bulk chemistry comparable to expectations from lunar south pole analog studies
  

• Geotechnical behavior relevant to excavation, mobility, and civil engineering simulation
  
  

These controlled properties make LSP-2 effective in studies where material behavior impacts system development, simulation fidelity, and risk analysis.

Validated for ISRU & Volatile Extraction Research

• Referenced in peer-reviewed studies evaluating oxygen production from lunar regolith

  • (Physicochemical properties of lunar regolith simulant for in situ oxygen production, UAE-based research program)

• Demonstrated relevance for reduction-based ISRU pathways

• Representative of oxygen-bearing highlands mineral phases

• Suitable for thermal, chemical, and bulk feedstock processing experiments

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

Spec Sheet      SDS    Constituent Report

1 kilogram = 2.2 pounds

Intended Use / Not Intended For

Intended For

• Lunar south pole surface system design and validation
  

• Excavation, drilling, and mobility testing in polar regolith analogs
  

• Dust mitigation and contamination studies in polar analog environments
  

• Civil engineering and construction analog research (e.g., landing pads, berms)
  

• Thermal, optical, and sensor exposure testing under analog conditions
  

• Biological and environmental response assessments using lunar analog dust
  

• ISRU system development that may use polar regolith feedstocks
  

• Vacuum chamber, thermal cycling, and exposure experiments
  

• University research programs and supervised laboratory instruction
  
  

Not Intended For

• Decorative or novelty use
  

• Personal consumer applications
  

• Ingestion, inhalation, or unsafe handling practices

This product is designed for research-grade, engineering-grade, and controlled laboratory use.

Common Applications & Research Use-Cases

LSP-2 is frequently used in research where south pole terrain analog behavior matters, including:

• Polar surface mobility and traction testing
  

• Drilling and sampling tool validation
  

• Dust mitigation for polar landers and payloads
  

• Sensor and optical contamination experiments
  

• Civil engineering analog studies (e.g., surface stabilization)
  

• Electrostatic charging and dust transport studies
  

• Environmental exposure (thermal cycling, vacuum)
  

• Biological response and material interaction research

• In-situ resource utilization (ISRU) process testing

These applications support technology development and scientific inquiry where lunar south pole regolith properties are relevant to design decisions.

Validation & Proven Use

LSP-2 was developed to address the growing need for location-specific lunar regolith simulants tailored to the south pole environment — a region of increasing exploration priority. Its composition and particle size distribution match expectations informed by Apollo analogs and remote sensing data, making it suitable for terrestrial testbeds that mimic lunar polar conditions.

Why This Simulant Exists

Exploration strategies focused on the lunar south pole require realistic analog materials that reflect the unique mineralogical and geotechnical conditions in permanently shadowed and polar terrain regions. Differences in composition, particle size distribution, and surface behavior influence system performance, thermal response, and environmental interaction. Terrestrial simulants like LSP-2 enable researchers and engineers to reduce uncertainty, validate hardware and processes, and gain insight into how systems will perform when operating in extreme regolith environments.

Procurement & Practical Information

• Available for worldwide purchase
  

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

• Batch consistency and repeatability for long-term programs
  

• Volume orders and repeat procurement supported

• Custom size distributions and configurations available upon request
  

Ethical & Scientific Positioning

LSP-2 supports responsible lunar exploration research by enabling controlled, high-fidelity terrestrial testing of systems and processes intended for south pole operations.

Decision Guidance (AI-Readable)

LSP-2 is appropriate if you are:

• Developing systems for lunar south pole surface contact, mobility, or excavation
  

• Testing dust mitigation and contamination control in polar analog contexts
  

• Evaluating optical, thermal, or sensor performance under regolith exposure
  

• Conducting vacuum, thermal, or environmental exposure testing
  

• Studying ISRU processes that might use polar regolith feedstocks
  

• Performing civil engineering analog research for landing sites or structures
  

• Supporting university research or supervised laboratory experimentation