Regolith and ice simulants
Engineered soils that mimic lunar and Martian dirt, including icy regolith, for testing hardware on Earth.
Why it matters
Moon dust is sharp, clingy and hard to replicate. Realistic test soil catches problems with wheels, seals and processing plants before a costly mission.
How the technology works
Off Planet Research produces simulants, feedstocks and additives for the Moon, Mars and other bodies, including icy regolith for polar conditions. It also designs and tests components against them, such as dust-tolerant connectors and seals developed under NASA SBIR awards; the NSF funds its icy simulant work.
Sources
Updated Oct 22, 2026 · How we source facts · Suggest a correction