1 kilogram = 2.2 pounds
MGS-1S is a modified version of the root Mars Global Simulant, MGS-1, and is enriched with polyhydrated sulfate gypsum for proper representation. Four Cases were concluded in the NASA Mars Water In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) Planning (M-WIP) Study. The MGS-1S simulant represents the Reference Case “B” – a natural concentration of poly-hydrated sulfate minerals.
MGS-1S is specifically designed for ISRU water extraction studies; the M-WIP study concluded that polyhydrated sulfate deposits represent a clear advantage over bulk regolith or clay-bearing deposits in terms of mass and power. What this means is that Reference Case B was found to involve moving the lowest mass of material, AND would have lower power requirements. This translates to Case B deposits may be considerably easier to access and excavate than permafrost deposits.
All of our Martian simulants are an upgraded, high-fidelity alternative to the more commonly known JSC MARS-1.
For information on Mineralogy, bulk chemistry, and geotechnical properties, please see below:
*Previous spec sheets and data for past regolith simulant batches can be found at bottom of page.
Mineralogy
| Mineral |
Wt.% |
| Gypsum |
40.0 |
| Anorthosite |
16.4 |
| Glass-rich basalt |
13.7 |
| Pyroxene (Bronzite) |
12.2 |
| Olivine |
8.2 |
| Mg-sulfate |
2.4 |
| Ferrihydrite |
2.1 |
| Hydrated silica |
1.8 |
| Magnetite |
1.1 |
| Anhydrite |
1.0 |
| Fe-carbonate |
0.8 |
| Hematite |
0.3 |
Bulk Chemistry
This table shows the relative abundances of each element detected by X-ray fluorescence (XRF). The relative abundances of elements detected by XRF in geological samples are quantified as oxides. In the simulant, these elements are contained in the minerals described in the Mineralogy table above, and not necessarily in oxide form.
| Oxide |
Wt% |
| SiO2
|
31.9 |
| Al2O3
|
10.6 |
| CaO |
20 |
| Fe2O3
|
11.9 |
| K2O
|
0.6 |
| MgO |
6.4 |
| MnO |
0.1 |
| P2O5
|
0.9 |
| TiO2
|
0.3 |
| SO3
|
16.6 |
| Cl |
0.3 |
| Cr2O3
|
0.1 |
| NiO |
0.1 |
| SrO |
0.1 |
| Total |
100 |
Physical Properties
Mean Particle Size: 119 µm
Particle Size Range: <0.04 µm – 1000 µm
Angle of Repose (Avg): 35°
*Spec Sheet (Before 06/2021)
*Spec Sheet (6/2021-Current)
Publications: Cannon, K. M., D. T. Britt, T. M. Smith, R. F. Fritsche, and D. Batcheldor (2019), Mars Global Simulant MGS-1: A Rocknest-based Open Standard for Basaltic Martian Regolith Simulants. Icarus, 317, 470-478
We would love to hear about the success of your research. If you have any information you'd like to share with us, please send us an email at exolithlab@ucf.edu.
Photo Credit: Abigail Glover, Exolith Lab
