Researchers Léonie Gasteiner, Naomi Murdoch, and Olfa D’Angelo from the University of Toulouse have compiled a comprehensive database of lunar regolith properties, aiming to streamline access to crucial data for future lunar missions and scientific research. Their work, published in the journal Nature Scientific Data, centralizes information that was previously scattered across decades of mission reports, often in hard-to-access formats.
Lunar regolith, the loose layer of dust and rock covering the Moon’s surface, is a key focus for future lunar missions due to its potential use in in-situ resource utilization, surface infrastructure, and mobility systems. However, the lack of a centralized database has made it challenging for researchers and engineers to access and utilize this data effectively. The newly compiled database addresses this issue by gathering physical and geotechnical properties of lunar regolith from various sources, including direct in-situ measurements from crewed missions, estimates inferred from surface interactions, remote sensing data, and laboratory analyses of returned samples.
The database includes a wide range of parameters, such as the angle of internal friction, cohesion, bulk density, and static bearing capacity. These properties are essential for understanding the behavior of lunar regolith and designing systems that can operate effectively in the lunar environment. The database also specifies the type and location of the tests from which each value was obtained, providing valuable context for the data.
In addition to centralizing this information, the researchers developed a user-friendly interface that facilitates data retrieval, filtering, and visualization. This interface allows users to generate customized plots for comparative analysis, making it easier to identify trends and patterns in the data. The database is designed to evolve in response to the community’s needs, ensuring that it remains a valuable resource for scientific and engineering research.
For the energy sector, this database could be particularly useful in the development of lunar-based energy systems. For instance, understanding the properties of lunar regolith is crucial for designing and deploying solar panels, wind turbines, and other energy infrastructure on the Moon. The database could also aid in the development of in-situ resource utilization technologies, such as using lunar regolith as a building material for energy infrastructure or as a feedstock for producing energy on the Moon.
In summary, the newly compiled database of lunar regolith properties is a significant step forward in enhancing the accessibility and usability of data for scientific and engineering research related to the Moon. Its practical applications for the energy sector could be substantial, particularly in the development of lunar-based energy systems and in-situ resource utilization technologies. The database and its associated tools are freely available online, ensuring that the benefits of this research can be widely shared and utilized.
This article is based on research available at arXiv.