행성 현지 자원활용을 위한 한국형 화성 복제토 제작

Abstract

For the purpose of future missions to Mars, researches on utilizing resources on Mars are crucial in order for investigating Mars; humans’ final destination. Mars is a planet where humans have high possibility to immigrate. However, the lack of Mars simulant in Korea limits the development of Korea’s Mars exploration. To prepare the successful Mars missions, the first Korea’s Martian soil simulant has been developed. The raw material of KMS-1 is a basalt mined from the riverside of Hantangang River, in Yeoncheon, northern Gyeonggi province, South Korea. A Yeoncheon basalt was chosen for similarity of mineralogy and chemical properties with Mars regolith. For the purpose of characterization of this simulant, it was analyzed on minerals, chemical composition, physical and mechanical properties such as particle size distribution, shape of particle, volatile content, and magnetic properties. KMS-1 is composed primarily of plagioclase feldspar, olivine with minor amounts of pyroxene, magnetite. It is produced by crushing with a disk mill whose gap can be adjusted for various particle size. Magnetic component of KMS-1 is up to 5.8% of Magnetite. KMS-1 is available as two types; fine sand with diameters of < 3 mm and fine dust with diameters of < 1 mm. KMS-1 can be used for scientific and engineering experiments for future Mars missions in Korea.