Exploratory review of sintered lunar soil based on the results of the thermal analysis of a lunar soil simulant
Abstract
The exploration and development of space will require energy that is reliable, ubiquitous, and economical to produce. The international space station relies on photovoltaics to generate electricity stored in nickel-hydrogen batteries for powering the station during the “night”. This paper investigates an alternative technology designed to take advantage of in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) available on the moon or other celestial bodies. Rather than depending on chemical batteries to store energy the envisioned method would “stock” solar thermal energy in sintered regolith, serving as a thermal battery that provides heat and power during the long night. It discusses the sintering process and the temperatures required to achieve agglomeration of the Australian Lunar Regolith Simulant-1 (ALRS-1). The main aim of the presented work was to determine the specific heat capacity of a sintered simulant, across a temperature range of 25°C to 700°C. Discussed are the concept of a closed cycle power storage system as well as methods and equipment employed for the experimental work. While the conducted tests are exploratory in nature, the first results encourage further work.
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The specific heat capacity (Cp) of sintered ALRS-1 regolith fell in the range of basalt on Earth.
“The experiments showed that 𝐶𝑝 of sintered regolith fell in the range of the basalt on Earth”
From A comprehensive review of lunar-based manufacturing and construction (2024) · cites this paper as [318]
Typical regolith simulants include JSC-1/1A (USA), CSA-1 (China), FJS-1 (Japan), KLS-1 (Korea), and ALRS-1 (Australia).
“Typical simulants include JSC-1/1A (USA), CSA-1 (China), FJS-1 (Japan), KLS-1 (Korea), and ALRS-1 (Australia). 73-77”
From Energy system and resource utilization in space: A state-of-the-art review (2024) · cites this paper as [76]
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- Authors
- Bonanno, A., & Bernold, L. E.
- Affiliations
- UNSW Sydney (AU)
- Venue
- Journal of Aerospace Engineering
- Published
- 2015-07
- Volume
- 28
- Issue
- 4
- ISSN
- 0893-1321 (ISSN-L)
- 1943-5525
- OpenAlex
- W2144681699
- Cited by
- 28
- References
- 20
- Citations by year
- 2026: 3 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 3 · 2019: 1 · 2018: 1 · 2014: 1
- FWCI
- 0.18
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Aerospace Engineering (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Astronomy and Astrophysics › Planetary Science and Exploration
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Mechanical Engineering › Phase Change Materials Research
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Biomedical Engineering › Chemical Looping and Thermochemical Processes
- Keywords
- lunar regolith simulant, thermal batteries, solar thermal energy storage, in-situ resource utilization, specific heat, sintering temperature
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