The term regolith refers to the “dirt” layer covering solid rock on the moon’s surface, which is loose, heterogeneous, superficial deposits. Our regolith simulant, often referred to as just “simulant”, is synthesized from terrestrial materials to mimic the chemical, mechanical or engineering properties of the materials that one would find on the moon. 

There are two main regions of the moon: the lighter regions known as the Highlands, which is mainly Plagioclase, often used interchangeably with anorthosite - a type of plagioclase. The darker regions of the moon, referred to as Mare, is mainly composed of silicates and oxides. A few examples of these silicates and oxides are olivine, pyroxene (bronzite) , ilmenite, and basalt (lava Rock) which you will find throughout our lunar compositions. 

On the moon, this layer of lunar regolith can be hazardous to human health without proper protection, and detrimental to space hardware. This is where our In-Situ Resource Utilization mission was birthed - since returned regolith from space missions is far too precious, we have created a High-Fidelity analog to make it accessible for everyone. Researchers are now able to use the regolith simulant recreated at Exolith Lab with 99% accuracy to test materials before launch to ensure proper safety.

Our main Martian simulant - Mars Global Simulant (MGS-1), is representative of a standard soil on Mars. It is based on Rocknest soil analyzed by the NASA Mars rover, Curiosity, in 2012. Exolith’s Regolith Simulant imitates this sample as a general approximation of martian regolith for any purpose.

We also produce variants such as MGS-1S enriched with polyhydrated sulfate gypsum, MGS-1C, enriched in hydrated clay minerals (smectite), and JEZ-1, imitating the Jezero Delta Crater, as well as custom orders.

Mars is red due to an abundance of iron oxide on its surface which creates a lot of rust. Besides iron oxide, Mars is abundant in clays, silicates, salts, carbonates, and sulfates. Like the regolith found on the moon, these loose, heterogenous, deposits are subject to frequent dust storms which can cover rover solar panels, ultimately killing them, as well as damaging the rover wheels.

Our High-Fidelity simulants are created mineralogically accurate that mimic the expected chemical and physical properties of the Martian Regolith. Overcoming challenges, such as Mars dust storms, to preserve space hardware is of the utmost importance for creating a sustainable space ecosystem in an inhospitable enviorment.