Scientists make Martian artificial earth and sell it to you for 20 dollars

Scientists do not expect to get their hands on Martian soil anytime soon, so they make themselves.

Created by astrophysicists from the University of Central Florida, this red soil, called Mars "simulant", is designed to give researchers a useful approximation of distant alien soil. This could be particularly relevant for testing crop growth or determining the performance of surface exploration equipment.

At $ 20 a kilo, NASA's Kennedy Space Center has already placed an order, according to the university.

Image: University of Central Florida

"The simulant is useful for research as we seek to visit Mars," said Dan Britt, a researcher at Planetary Sciences Group at the University of Central Florida, in a statement. "If we go, we will need food, water, and other essentials, and as we develop solutions, we need a way to test the progress of these ideas. "

The artificial Martian soil is modeled on the volcanic soil rich in iron that covers the red planet. The researchers published their results in the journal of planetary science Icarus.

As everywhere in the world, Martian soil is very varied – clays, sand and dirt – and the laboratory plans to use standardized methods to produce consistent simulants so that those preparing for space exploration can perform reliable experiments. .

This is not just the soil of Mars that is in demand. The lab also sells moon dust and asteroids.

But there is no potential human colony as far away as Mars, which is on average about 140 million kilometers from the Earth. The brass colonizers will almost certainly have to produce their own food and perhaps use the Martian soils and minerals to carry out their task.

"You would not want to find out that your method did not work while we're there right now," Britt said. "What would you do then? It takes years to get there.