Observations on Fluidization, Particle Entrainment, Sublimation, and Evaporation During Tests Using Hydrated Regolith Simulants .

Abstract

The presence of water ice in permanently shadowed regions on the lunar surface may enable a sustained human presence on the Moon with minimal need for consumables. In order to successfully extract water from lunar regolith, there are a few physical behaviors that should be accounted for when designing systems to handle icy regolith samples. Many of these behaviors have been observed and recorded in the process of testing ISRU technologies.