A team of researchers at the New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) Space Exploration Laboratory has successfully developed a new lunar soil simulant known as the Emirates Lunar Simulant. This simulant closely mimics the properties of actual moon dust, allowing for critical testing ahead of the upcoming Emirates Lunar Mission and future lunar expeditions by UAE astronauts.

The Emirates Lunar Simulant is essential because transporting significant quantities of moon soil back to Earth is impractical. The research team utilized anorthosite-rich rocks sourced from the UAE, which share a similar mineral and chemical composition with lunar samples, making them ideal for experimentation.

Under the guidance of researcher Vigneshwaran Krishnamoorthi and collaboration with undergraduate students from NYUAD, the team is applying the simulant to evaluate instruments that will be crucial for mission operations. These operations include landings, surface exploration, construction, and resource extraction on the moon.

The Space Exploration Laboratory at NYU Abu Dhabi, which operates within the Centre for Astrophysics and Space Science (CASS), is committed to advancing the fields of planetary science and space exploration through innovative research and development.