Laboratory Characterization

Our Services

Every simulant lot produced at SRT is characterized to the highest scientific standards. Our in-house testing services are also available for external samples, providing researchers with fast, reliable data.

Angle of Repose

Measures the steepest angle at which a granular material remains stable without sliding. Critical for understanding simulant flowability, pile formation behavior, and excavation dynamics in low-gravity environments.

Static & dynamic angle measurement
Relevant for hopper and regolith bin design
Reported in degrees (°)

Bulk Density

Quantifies the mass of simulant per unit volume, including interparticle voids. Essential for mission planning, ISRU system design, structural load calculations, and comparing simulant fidelity to published lunar and Martian surface data.

Loose & tapped bulk density
Reported in g/cm³
Hausner ratio (flowability index) available

Grain Size Distribution (PSD)

Particle Size Distribution analysis characterizes the full range of grain sizes present in a simulant sample. A fundamental geotechnical property that governs permeability, compaction, bearing capacity, and optical/spectral behavior.

Laser diffraction analysis
D10, D50, D90 reported
Full cumulative distribution curve provided

pH

Determines the acidity or alkalinity of a simulant in aqueous solution. Particularly relevant for biology and life science experiments, water extraction ISRU studies, and material compatibility testing with spacecraft components and biological systems.

Standard slurry method (1:2.5 ratio)
Calibrated pH electrode measurement
Reported to 0.01 pH unit precision

Outgassing, Weight Loss & Melting Point

Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) measures mass loss as a function of temperature, revealing volatile content, adsorbed water, and decomposition behavior. Melting point characterization ensures simulant stability under extreme thermal conditions encountered in space hardware testing, vacuum chambers, and high-temperature ISRU processes.

TGA from ambient to 1000 °C
Outgassing profile under vacuum conditions
Melting point & thermal phase transitions identified
Critical for hardware qualification & vacuum chamber testing

Request a Characterization

Need testing on your own sample or a custom report for your simulant order? Get in touch and our team will respond within one business day.