A Comprehensive Algorithm for Simulating Lunar Regolith: Integrating Chemical, Crystalline, and Amorphous Properties

This project aims to develop an algorithm that will provide preliminary insight for the production of the most realistic lunar regolith simulants that can be created on Earth, with the goal of supporting the development of construction materials to be used on the Moon's surface. To date, simulants developed in the literature have been based solely on chemical composition, and studies conducted in Türkiye have made significant progress in this area. However, the goal of this project is to go beyond mere chemical matching. We will achieve it by matching of crystal phases and their amount as well as amorphous chemistry and their amount (especially glass-like components). In order to identify the simulants most closely matching the XRD and XRF analysis data of lunar samples collected during the Apollo and Chang’e missions. For this purpose, an existing algorithm capable of comparing different lunar samples will be utilized. This algorithm checks how well local materials in Türkiye, such as basalt, olivine, and ilmenite, match the chemical and structural properties of lunar regolith. The project introduces a new approach to simulant matching and will help produce affordable and realistic simulants in a short time, including for new samples like the Chinese CE-5 lunar soil. These simulants will be important for testing building materials and construction methods for future Moon missions.