From NASA to Chang'e: A Hardcore Tech Translation
The development of lunar gravel simulants is rooted in the technological heritage of aerospace giants. Building on NASA's classic JSC-1A lunar regolith simulant formula, Chinese research teams have made targeted improvements: increasing basalt gravel content to 92%, and fine-tuning mineral composition and particle morphology to more accurately replicate the soil properties of lunar highlands. This modified simulant has been directly applied to the landing system tests of Chang'e-7. In ground-based simulations of the lunar surface, it successfully mimicked the interaction between the lander's buffer mechanism and the lunar gravel layer, providing critical data for the probe's stable landing on the Moon.
Performance Metrics: Decoding Lunar "Mechanical Codes"
The core strength of these simulants lies in their precise replication of the Moon's static environment. Particle sizes are strictly controlled within the 0.1-1mm gradation range, matching the distribution of lunar regolith (the Moon's surface weathered layer). More crucially, through optimized particle grading, the material's friction angle stabilizes at 35°-perfectly simulating the shear strength and bearing characteristics of the gravel layer under the Moon's low-gravity conditions. This means key tests like lunar rover obstacle traversal and landing leg impact trials can yield mechanical feedback identical to the lunar surface in Earth laboratories, significantly reducing the risk and cost of space missions.
Commercial Expansion: From Aerospace Testing to Popular Science
Beyond aerospace, lunar regolith simulants are entering public view. In commercial applications, space-themed parks and science museums have emerged as key scenarios-the Shanghai Astronomy Museum, for instance, has purchased 200 tons of the material to pave its "lunar surface" exhibition area. When visitors step onto the simulant-covered ground, the texture of particles underfoot and walking resistance closely mirror the real lunar environment. This immersive experience makes distant lunar exploration tangible, extending the value of cutting-edge technology into science education.