Planetary scientists ask for better fake space dirt

Of the many significant details that could affect space research, one big concern seems to be not-so-authentic space dirt. In experiments, tests, and simulations, planetary scientists have always used artificial soil that is created to replicate the lunar surface. However, the physical and chemical properties of real space dirt cannot be replicated. This is a cause of concern as this could lead to misleading research results.

Artificial space soil or simulant is often developed by space agencies and research groups; this simulant is often an amalgamation of ash, grit, sand, crushed bricks, and glass beads. There are many different kinds of soils being created and over 30 lunar simulants exist. Quite often, the process used to create simulants is not scientific and studies using these simulants could result in misleading findings. For instance, simulants created to test rovers cannot be used while studying geochemical properties of the moon. 

Recognizing the concerns associated with simulants, NASA recently created a team of scientists to analyze the physical properties of available simulants. An asteroid-mining company has started making near-authentic space dirt in a scientific manner; this space dirt is meant to represent the surfaces of four classes of asteroid.     

Artificial space soil is used to test various things such as drills and rovers. By establishing a reliable and scientifically accurate method of creating space dirt, the probability of misleading results can be reduced significantly.     

Image source: Google images