Producing Synthetic Agglutinates in Simulated Lunar Regolith

Method helps in the study of Lunar material.

A method was developed of synthesizing agglutinates as components of simulated Lunar regolith. The method is needed for further development of Lunar-exploration capabilities because natural Lunar regolith contains agglutinates that contribute significantly to its mechanical and thermophysical properties. Agglutinates are particles that, in the Lunar case, are aggregates of smaller regolith particles (mineral grains, glasses, and even older agglutinates) bonded together by vesicular, flow-banded glass.