At the V.I. Vernadsky Institute of Geochemistry and Analytical Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences (GEOKHI RAS), an inexpensive analogue of Martian soil has been developed. The resulting material is planned to be used in testing the supporting chassis of landing vehicles and the equipment installed on them. This was reported in the press service of the university.
The developed sample was named VI-M1 (from English Vernadsky Institute). The material simulates the properties of Martian soil (deformation characteristics, strength, adhesion) in the landing zone of the European ExoMars mission.
VI-M1 is most consistent with Martian regolith in the research areas of the Zhurong and Spirit rovers. These regions, like Oxia Planum, are located in the transition zone between the mainland and the lowland.
The material differs from analogues in its low production cost. This was achieved through the use of available artificial and natural components that do not require processing.
Earlier www1.ru reported that a space traffic management system may appear in Russia.
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