Regolith simulant production method and apparatus

Abstract

Systems and methods for producing regolith simulant that has physical properties that are substantially the same as those of actual regolith, such as that of the Moon's surface, are introduced. In particular, these systems and methods may produce regolith simulant particles that have relatively sharp, irregular, and angular shapes. Such shapes and structures are generally the same as or similar to the shapes and structures of lunar regolith particles. These shapes and structures contribute to a number of important physical characteristics demonstrated by lunar regolith. The methods may include forming a dusty plasma inside a chamber, providing components of the regolith simulant into the chamber, and allowing the components to intermix in the dusty plasma to form irregular and angular particles of the regolith simulant.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.