In 2005, NASA contracted with Orbital Technologies Corporation (ORBITEC) for a second batch of simulant in three grades:[5]
JSC-1AF, fine, 27μm average size
JSC-1A, a reproduction of JSC 1, less than 1mm size
JSC-1AC, coarse, a distribution of sizes < 5mm
NASA received 14 metric tons of JSC-1A, and one ton each of AF and AC in 2006. Another 15 tons of JSC-1A and 100kg of JSC-1F were produced by ORBITEC for commercial sale, but ORBITEC is no longer selling simulants and was acquired by the Sierra Nevada Corporation. An 8-ton sand box of commercial JSC-1A is available for daily rental from the NASA Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute (SSERVI).[6]
JSC-1A can geopolymerize in an alkaline solutions resulting in a hard, rock-like, material.[7][8] Tests show that the maximum compressive and flexural strength of the 'lunar' geopolymer is comparable to that of conventional cements.[8]
JSC-1 and JSC-1A are now no longer available outside of NASA centers.
NU-LHT and OB-1
Two lunar highlands simulants, the NU-LHT (lunar highlands type) series and OB-1 (olivine-bytownite) were developed and produced in anticipation of the Constellation activities. Both of these simulants are sourced mostly from rare anorthosite deposits on the Earth. For NU-LHT the anorthosite came from the Stillwater complex, and for OB-1 it came from the Shawmere Anorthosite in Ontario. Neither of these simulants were widely distributed.
Recent simulants
Most of the previously developed lunar simulants are no longer being produced or distributed outside of NASA. Multiple companies have tried to sell regolith simulants for profit, including Zybek Advanced Products, ORBITEC, and Deep Space Industries. None of these efforts have seen much success. NASA is unable to sell simulants, or distribute unlimited amounts for free; however, NASA can award set amounts of simulant to grant winners.
1 2 McKay, David S.; Carter, James L.; Boles, Walter W.; Allen, Carlton C.; Allton, Judith H. (1994). "JSC-1: 新しい月面土壌模擬物質" (PDF) . In Galloway, Rodney G.; Lokaj, Stanley (eds.). Engineering, Construction, and Operations in Space IV; Proceedings of the 4th International Conference, Albuquerque, New Mexico, February 26–March 3, 1994 . Engineering, Construction, and Operations in Space IV; Albuquerque, New Mexico, February 26–March 3, 1994. Vol. 2. New York: American Society of Civil Engineers . pp. 857– 866. ISBN0-87262-937-6。
McKay, DS; Carter, JL; Boles, WW; Allen, CC & Alton, JH (1993). "JSC-1: 新しい月面レゴリス模擬物質". Lunar and Planetary Science XXIV . Lunar and Planetary Science Conference. pp. 963–964 . Bibcode : 1993LPI.... 24..963M .
Klosky, J. Ledlie; Sture, Stein; Ko, Hon-Yim & Barnes, Frank (1996). "JSC-1 月面レゴリス模擬物質の機械的特性". Johnson, Stewart W. (編). Engineering, Construction, and Operations in Space 5: Proceedings of the Fifth International Conference on Space '96 held in Albuquerque, New Mexico, June 1–6, 1996. Fifth International Conference on Space '96 held in Albuquerque, New Mexico, June 1–6, 1996. New York: American Society of Civil Engineers . pp. 680–688 . doi : 10.1061/40177(207)94 . ISBN0-7844-0177-2。