Permeability of JS']JSC-1A: A lunar soil simulant

The permeability of lunar soil simulant, JSC-1A, is measured over a range of bulk densities from 1550 to 2000 kg m(-3). The corresponding viscous flow permeability is 1 x 10(-12) m(2) to 6.1 x 10(-12) m(2) for this bulk density range. Implications of these values on the contamination of regolith by rockets, on barrier/enhancement to bulk flow of ice, and on cratering are discussed. Although the particle size and shape distribution of the JSC-1A are extremely wide, the permeability measurements agree surprisingly well with the Carman-Kozeny equation. The results provide evidence that the Carman-Kozeny model could be applicable to other naturally occurring soils if effective soil properties are considered. (C) 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.