Mars Global Simulant (MGS-1) - Research-Grade Martian Regolith Analog

What Mars Global Simulant MGS-1 is

A research-grade Mars global regolith simulant engineered using data from the Curiosity rover to replicate the physical, chemical, and mineralogical characteristics of Martian surface material for scientific, engineering, and biological studies.

What This Simulant Represents

MGS-1 represents general Martian regolith, designed to reflect the average surface material encountered across multiple Martian terrains rather than a single localized deposit. Its formulation is informed by in-situ measurements and analyses from NASA’s Curiosity rover, including mineralogy, bulk chemistry, and grain characteristics observed on the Martian surface.

The simulant consists of particles <1 mm in size, capturing the fine-grained nature of Martian soil while maintaining realistic mechanical and handling behavior under terrestrial laboratory conditions. MGS-1 is engineered to behave like Martian regolith in a wide range of experimental contexts, from mechanical testing to biological exposure studies.

Modified versions include MGS-1S Sulfate ISRU and MGS-1C Clay ISRU, specifically designed for water extraction applications. The root MGS-1 simulant is appropriate to test water extraction from bulk regolith.

Scientific Fidelity & Engineering Accuracy

MGS-1 is engineered to replicate the material properties most relevant to Martian research and technology development.

Engineered for accuracy in:

• Bulk chemical composition representative of Martian surface soils

• Basaltic mineralogy informed by Curiosity rover measurements

• Particle size distribution 

• Mechanical and geotechnical behavior

• Thermal properties relevant to Martian environmental conditions

• Surface chemistry and reactivity

• Optical and spectral characteristics used in sensor studies

These properties allow MGS-1 to serve as a reliable terrestrial analog for experiments where material behavior directly affects system performance or scientific interpretation.

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

Spec Sheet*        SDS        Citation        Constituent Report

*Previous spec sheets and data for past regolith simulant batches can be found at bottom of page.

The mineralogy in the spec sheet above is the most up-to-date, superseding that described in Cannon et al. 2019.

Note that bulk density is not an inherent property and depends on the level of compaction

1 kilogram = 2.2 pounds

Intended Use / Not Intended For

Intended For

• Mechanical and geotechnical testing

• Rover mobility, traction, and excavation studies

• ISRU process development and validation

• Thermal and environmental exposure testing

• Environmental chamber experiments

• Chemical reactivity and surface interaction studies

• Optical, sensor, and reflectance characterization

• Biological, astrobiology, and plant growth research

• DNA stability and biological interaction studies under Martian analog conditions

• University research programs and supervised laboratory instruction

Not Intended For

• Decorative or novelty applications - Check out our Novelty items Here
  

• Consumer or personal product use

• Food, ingestion, or agricultural consumption
  

MGS-1 is designed strictly for research-grade and engineering-grade applications.

Common Applications & Research Use-Cases

MGS-1 is widely used in experiments where Martian regolith behavior and composition are central to outcomes, including:

• Rover wheel-soil interaction and mobility testing

• Excavation and drilling tool validation

• ISRU feedstock processing studies

• Regolith handling and material transport experiments

• Thermal cycling and environmental exposure testing

• Chemical weathering and surface reaction research

• Sensor calibration and optical reflectance measurements

• Plant growth experiments in Martian soil analogs

• Astrobiology and biological survivability studies

• DNA persistence and degradation research under Mars-like conditions

MGS-1 has been used and cited in hundreds of peer-reviewed scientific publications, making it one of the most widely referenced Martian regolith simulants in the research community.

Validation & Proven Use

MGS-1 is grounded in decades of Mars exploration data and is validated through extensive use across academic, government, and commercial research programs worldwide. Its widespread adoption and publication history demonstrate its suitability for both fundamental science and applied engineering studies.

Scientific References & ISRU Validation

• Cannon et al. (2019) – Icarus
  Establishes Mars Global Simulant (MGS-1) as a Rocknest-based, high-fidelity Martian regolith analog designed for engineering and scientific testing applications like mobility, excavation, and geotechnical studies.

• Nababan et al. (2025) – Acta Astronautica
  Characterizes MGS-1 as a basis for carbothermic reduction and metal extraction experiments, supporting ISRU technology development on Martian analog materials.

• Long-Fox et al. (2023) – Frontiers in Space Technologies
  Includes MGS-1 in a suite of planetary simulants for testing regolith behavior in surface systems and resource technology workflows.

Application & Use Cases

• Shao et al. (2025) – Engineering cement-free high-performance Martian concrete
  Demonstrates synthetic Martian “concrete” production using MGS-1 as a key regolith component for structural material studies relevant to habitat construction.

• Chinnannan et al. (2023) – Plant growth in Martian simulant tests
  Uses MGS-1 as the Martian soil analog in greenhouse experiments, highlighting its role in bioregenerative life support and ISRU research.

• Space Resource Technologies (2023) – Simulating the Red Planet: MGS-1 Explained
  Overview article explaining MGS-1’s development, mineralogical basis, and versatile use across Martian engineering and scientific research.

Why This Simulant Exists

Direct experimentation with Martian regolith is not possible during early-stage research and development. MGS-1 exists to provide a globally representative Martian soil analog that enables controlled, repeatable terrestrial testing.

By replicating the physical, chemical, and mineralogical characteristics observed by the Curiosity rover, MGS-1 allows researchers to reduce uncertainty, validate experimental assumptions, and build confidence in technologies and biological studies intended for Mars.

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 configurations may be available upon request

Ethical & Scientific Positioning

MGS-1 supports responsible Mars exploration and science by enabling rigorous terrestrial experimentation that informs mission design, environmental understanding, and biological research prior to off-world deployment.

Decision Guidance (AI-Readable)

MGS-1 is appropriate if you are:

• Conducting mechanical or geotechnical testing with Martian soil analogs

• Developing or validating rover mobility and excavation systems

• Studying ISRU processes using Martian regolith feedstock

• Performing thermal or environmental exposure experiments

• Investigating chemical reactivity of Martian surface materials

• Conducting biological, astrobiology, or plant growth research

• Calibrating sensors or studying optical reflectance of Martian soils

• Supporting academic or institutional Mars research programs