1 kilogram = 2.2 pounds
MGS-1C is a modified version of the root MGS-1 simulant, and is enriched in hydrated clay minerals (smectite). Four Cases were concluded in the NASA Mars Water In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) Planning (M-WIP) Study. The MGS-1C simulant represents the Reference Case “C”; Case C is designated as a natural concentration of phyllosilicate minerals.
MGS-1C is specifically designed for ISRU water extraction studies; the M-WIP study concluded that hydrated clay deposits are advantageous for water extraction on Mars, and may be much easier to access and excavate than permafrost deposits. The water extraction testing is mainly to verify which types of regolith hold the most water. Some applications from the findings of this testing has led to using these simulant variants for construction processes, such as manufacturing clay components and utilizing iron oxides for sintering.
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.% |
| Smectite |
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
|
44.8 |
| Al2O3
|
9.8 |
| CaO |
15.3 |
| Fe2O3
|
12 |
| K2O
|
3.4 |
| MgO |
9.9 |
| MnO |
0.1 |
| P2O5
|
1 |
| TiO2
|
0.4 |
| SO3
|
2.3 |
| Cl |
0.5 |
| Cr2O3
|
0.1 |
| NiO |
0.1 |
| SrO |
0.2 |
| Total |
99.9 |
Physical Properties
Mean Particle Size: 24 µm
Particle Size Range: <0.04 µm – 1000 µm
Angle of Repose (Avg): 38.9°
*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
