Development of martian regolith and bedrock simulants: Potential and limitations of martian regolith as an in-situ resource

The last decade of Martian surface exploration has increased knowledge the composition and variability minerals present in regolith bedrock. This informs planning for manned missions to Mars which these materials may be an important in-situ resource agricultural applications. Soil on is known contain majority planet essential nutrients, but many questions both benefits (e.g. bioavailability nutrients) limitations extent toxins) soil as a plant growth medium remain unanswered. It necessary augment with other bedrock phyllosilicates, carbonates) produce appropriate growth. A better understanding feasibility using could accomplished methods common practices Earth biofertilization) simulants medium. study herein discusses development five new simulants. These are designed reflect several mineralogical phyllosilicate clays) chemical characteristics various that most relevant establishing potential resources use provides test bed studies examining Mars' applications, data gaps surrounding will need further characterization, then conduct needed characterization true Martian-regolith in-situ. discussed analyzed by X-ray diffraction Reitveld refinement, fluorescence, V/NIR reflectance spectroscopy, 57Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy compared equivalent published available from rover orbiter missions. resulting chemically mineralogically comparable particularly growing plants Mars. developed analogue fertility measurements inform hypothesis, habitat design, mission plans involve