Mojave Mars simulant - Characterization of a new geologic Mars analog

被引:187
作者
Peters, Gregory H. [2 ]
Abbey, William [1 ]
Bearman, Gregory H. [2 ]
Mungas, Gregory S. [2 ]
Smith, J. Anthony [2 ]
Anderson, Robert C. [1 ]
Douglas, Susanne [1 ]
Beegle, Luther W. [1 ]
机构
[1] CALTECH, Jet Prop Lab, Planetary Sci Sect, Pasadena, CA 91109 USA
[2] CALTECH, Jet Prop Lab, In Situ Instrument Syst Sect, Pasadena, CA 91109 USA
关键词
Mars; surface; geological processes; experimental techniques; regoliths;
D O I
10.1016/j.icarus.2008.05.004
中图分类号
P1 [天文学];
学科分类号
0704 ;
摘要
We have identified and characterized a basaltic Mars simulant that is available as whole rocks, sand and dust. The source rock for the simulant is a basalt mined from the Tertiary Tropico Group in the western Mojave Desert. The Mojave Mars Simulant (MMS) was chosen for its inert hygroscopic characteristics, its availability in a variety of forms, and its physical and chemical characteristics. The MMS dust and MMS sand are produced by mechanically crushing basaltic boulders. This is a process that More closely resembles the weathering/comminution processes on Mars where impact events and aerodynamic interactions provide comminution in the (relative) absence of water and organics. MMS is among the Suite of test rocks and soils that Was used in the development of the 2007/8 Phoenix Scout and is being used in the 2009 Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) missions. The MMS development team is using the simulant for research that centers on sampling tool interactions in icy soils. Herein we describe the physical properties and chemical composition of this new Mars simulant. (C) 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
引用
收藏
页码:470 / 479
页数:10
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