Get in touch: exolithlab@ucf.edu
The Exolith Lab is a not-for-profit extension of CLASS dedicated to regolith simulant production and applied research. Simulant costs cover materials, facilities, labor, university overhead, and R&D.
We also maintain the Planetary Simulant Database as a resource for the community, with information on historic and current planetary simulants. We are happy to provide complimentary consulting on simulants, in partnership with the ESA Sample Analogue Curation Facility.
Recent Publications & Use Cases
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.
People
Prof. Dan Britt – CLASS PI
Dr. Kevin Cannon – Simulant development, operations
Anna Metke – Community relations, operations
Cody Schultz, Daniel Hildreth – Simulant production
Available Simulants | Simulant Request Form
The following simulants are currently available. Requests of 1 kg or less (total) will be processed and shipped worldwide free of charge; for larger amounts, there is a flat rate charge of $20/kg plus shipping. Fill out a request form, or contact exolithlab@ucf.edu for inquiries; We are open to collaborative projects and teaming on proposals.
CI Asteroid Simulant
Spec Sheet (PDF) | Safety Data Sheet (PDF)
Based on the mineralogy of the Orgueil CI carbonaceous chondrite. Highest volatile content of our three asteroid simulants.
CM Asteroid Simulant
Spec Sheet (PDF) | Safety Data Sheet (PDF)
Based on the mineralogy of the Murchison CM carbonaceous chondrite. Moderate volatile content.
CR Asteroid Simulant
Spec Sheet (PDF) | Safety Data Sheet (PDF)
Based on an average mineralogy of 5 Antarctic CR carbonaceous chondrites. Lowest volatile content of our three asteroid simulants.
MGS-1 Mars Global Simulant
Spec Sheet (PDF) | Safety Data Sheet (PDF)
Global basaltic soil based on the mineralogy of the Rocknest soil at Gale crater.
MGS-1S Sulfate ISRU
A modified version of MGS-1 based on the polyhydrated sulfate reference case from the NASA Mars Water In-Situ Resource Utilization Study.
MGS-1C Clay ISRU
A modified version of MGS-1 based on the hydrated clay reference case from the NASA Mars Water In-Situ Resource Utilization Study.
LHS-1 Lunar Highlands Simulant
(limited production)
LMS-1 Lunar Mare Simulant
(limited production)
