LOCAD-PTS (short for Lab-On-a-Chip Application Development-Portable Test System)

Alright, it isn't a Trcorder yet, but a beginning just the same.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tricorder
- LRK -
_____________________________________________________________________
NASA Science News for April 6, 2007

A miniature biological laboratory important to the future of space
exploration has just passed an important test onboard the International
Space Station.

FULL STORY at

http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2007/06apr_locad2.htm?list965414

Snip
_____________________________________________________________________
*April 6, 2007:* "What a huge relief," says Norman Wainwright of the
Charles River Laboratories in Charleston, SC. "The whole technical team
was delighted that it worked so well."

He's talking about a miniature biological laboratory just tested for the
first time onboard the International Space Station. Called LOCAD-PTS
(short for Lab-On-a-Chip Application Development-Portable Test System),
the mini-lab detects the presence of bacteria or fungi on the surfaces
of a spacecraft far more rapidly than standard methods of culturing.

"The ability to monitor microorganisms would be especially important on
long space voyages, not only to check the health of astronauts but also
to monitor electronics and structural materials, which can be corroded
or otherwise damaged by certain fungi and bacteria," says Wainwright,
the experiment's principal investigator. LOCAD-PTS is designed so that
"astronauts can do the analysis onboard with no need to return samples
to laboratories on Earth."

The device was launched last December 9th on board the space shuttle
Discovery, and then stowed aboard ISS until its scheduled experiment
time�which happened to be Saturday night, March 31, Marshall Space
Flight Center time. (Remember that time!)

Snip
_____________________________________________________________________

Thanks for looking up with me.

Larry Kellogg

Web Site: http://lkellogg.vttoth.com/LarryRussellKellogg/
BlogSpot: http://kelloggserialreports.blogspot.com/
RSS link: http://kelloggserialreports.blogspot.com/atom.xml
Newsletter: https://news.altair.com/mailman/listinfo/lunar-update

==============================================================
http://exploration.nasa.gov/programs/station/LOCAD-PTS.html
Lab-on-a-Chip Application Development-Portable Test System (LOCAD-PTS)
Brief Summary

Lab-on-a-Chip Application Development-Portable Test System (LOCAD-PTS)
is a handheld device for rapid detection of biological and chemical
substances on board the space station. Astronauts will swab surfaces
within the cabin, add swab material to the LOCAD-PTS, and within 15
minutes obtain results on a display screen. The study's purpose is to
effectively provide an early warning system to enable crew members to
take remedial measures if necessary to protect the health and safety of
those on board the station.

Principal Investigator

Norman R. Wainwright, Ph.D., Charles River Endosafe, Charleston SC

Co-Investigator(s)

Jake Maule, Ph.D., Carnegie Institution of Washington, Washington, DC

Payload Developer


Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, AL
Charles River Endosafe, Charleston, SC

Sponsoring Agency

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Expeditions Assigned

14,15,16

Previous ISS Missions

LOCAD-PTS is a new investigation for space research.

Snip
Research Summary

LOCAD-PTS is a handheld device for rapid detection of biological onboard
the International Space Station (ISS).

LOCAD-PTS analysis is immediate. Effectively providing an early warning
system to enable crew to take remedial measures if necessary to protect
themselves on board ISS.

Current testing focuses on detecting bacteria and fungi. Other sample
cartridges can be developed to detect chemical substances of concern to
crew safety on ISS (hydrazine, ammonia, etc.) and proteins in urine,
saliva and blood for aiding medical diagnoses.

Description

The Lab-on-a-Chip Application Development ￜ Portable Test System
(LOCAD-PTS) is a handheld device, enabling crew to perform complex
laboratory tests on a thumb-sized cartridge with a press of a button.
Every thumb-sized plastic cartridge has 4 channels and each channel
contains a dried extract of horseshoe crab blood cells and colorless
dye. In the presence of bacteria and fungi, the dried extract reacts
strongly to turn the dye a green color. Therefore, the more green dye,
the more microorganisms there are in the original sample.

Tests by LOCAD-PTS will become increasingly specific with the advent of
new cartridges. Current cartridges target bacteria and fungi. New
cartridges, to be launched on subsequent flights, will target bacteria
only, then groups of bacteria and eventually individual species or
strains that pose a specific risk to crew health. Cartridges can also be
adapted to detect chemical substances of concern to crew safety on ISS
(e.g. hydrazine, ammonia and certain acids) and proteins in urine,
saliva and blood of astronauts to provide added information for medical
diagnosis. A phrase that summarizes this mode of operation is "same
instrument, just change the cartridge".

Snip
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http://www.aiaa.org/aerospace/images/articleimages/pdf/AA_Mar07_EN.pdf
Primitive creatures aid healthy space travel.
Snip

The high-tech device relies on four enzymes extracted from the blood
cells of one of Earth�s most ancient living creatures -- the horseshoe crab.
"The horseshoe crab, a species that has survived some 300 million years, has
a very primitive but sensitive immune system," Wainwright explains. A single
bacterium can be enough to trigger enzymes in the crab's immune system, which
clot the blood to seal off a wound.

The enzymes' extraordinary sensitivity and rapid response make them widely
useful in medical research to test the effectiveness of drugs and devices. With
drawing a bit of blood annually from horseshoe crabs, which are then returned to
the sea, does not injure the creatures. So far, there is no acceptable synthetic
substitute.

It is these horseshoe crab enzymes that allow LOCAD-PTS to be so small,
sensitive, and fast.

Snip
==============================================================
Not all Tricorders were the same on Star Trek and other devices to aid
us in exploring space are being considered as well.
- LRK -
_____________________________________________________________________
http://www.nasa.gov/vision/earth/technologies/nuggets.html
NASA Develops a Nugget to Search for Life in Space
07.27.05

Astrobiologists, who search for evidence of life on other planets, may
find a proposed Neutron/Gamma ray Geologic Tomography (NUGGET)
instrument to be one of the most useful tools in their toolbelt

As conceived by scientists at the Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) in
Greenbelt, Md., NUGGET would be able to generate three-dimensional
images of fossils embedded in an outcrop of rock or beneath the soil of
Mars or another planet. Tomography uses radiation or sound waves to look
inside objects. NUGGET could help determine if primitive forms of life
took root on Mars when the planet was awash in water eons ago.

Similar to seismic tomography used by the oil industry to locate oil
reserves beneath Earth�s surface, NUGGET would look instead for evidence
of primitive algae and bacteria that fossilized along the edges of
extinct rivers or oceans. As on Earth, these remains could lie just a
few centimeters beneath the surface, compressed between layers of silt.
If a mechanical rover that explores planet surfaces were equipped with
an instrument like NUGGET -- capable of peering beneath the surface --
then it might be able to reveal evidence of life beyond Earth.

Snip
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WHAT THE MIND CAN CONCEIVE, AND BELIEVE, IT WILL ACHIEVE - LRK

==============================================================

USGS Astrogeology - Hot Topics

When you go on a trip it helps to have a map to tell you where to go
when you come to a fork in the road.

http://astrogeology.usgs.gov/HotTopics/

If you would like look at what is happening now on the road to space,
check out the link above.
- LRK -

Various agencies publish maps around the World and in the USA the U.S.
Geological Survey office has done that for some time.
_____________________________________________________________________
http://www.usgs.gov/aboutusgs/
Our Mission and Vision

Mission: The USGS serves the Nation by providing reliable scientific
information to describe and understand the Earth; minimize loss of life
and property from natural disasters; manage water, biological, energy,
and mineral resources; and enhance and protect our quality of life.

Vision: USGS has become a world leader in the natural sciences thanks to
our scientific excellence and responsiveness to society's needs.

Snip
_____________________________________________________________________


Maps of mother Earth do not help you when you want to find a place to
land on the Moon.
Who would like to map the Moon?

It often takes someone with a vision to push for change and show the
chain of command that the project will work.

Eugene M. Shoemaker was that kind of person.
- LRK -

_____________________________________________________________________
http://astrogeology.usgs.gov/About/AstroHistory/shoemaker.html

Gene Shoemaker founded the Astrogeology Research Program in 1961 and was
its first Chief Scientist. He established the Flagstaff Science Center
in 1963, and retired from the USGS in 1993. He remained on Emeritus
status with the USGS and maintained an affiliation with * Lowell
Observatory <http://www.lowell.edu/> * until his death in a car accident
in Australia in 1997.

Gene was involved in the Lunar Ranger and Surveyor programs and
continued with the manned Apollo programs. He culminated his lunar
studies in 1994 with new data on the Moon from * Project Clementine
<http://astrogeology.usgs.gov/Missions/Clementine/>*, for which he was
the science-team leader. Gene collaborated closely with his wife,
Carolyn, a planetary astronomer. The discovery of Comet Shoemaker-Levy
(which impacted Jupiter in 1994) with colleague David Levy, gained them
world-wide fame. This was just one of Gene's many great accomplishments.

For more on Gene Shoemaker, see the * Eugene M. Shoemaker
<http://astrogeology.usgs.gov/About/People/GeneShoemaker> * page.

Snip
_____________________________________________________________________

If you have never read about him, take a look at what the USGS has to
say about him.
- LRK -
_____________________________________________________________________
http://astrogeology.usgs.gov/About/People/GeneShoemaker/


Eugene M. Shoemaker

April 28, 1928 - July 18, 1997


Table of Contents

* Biography
<http://astrogeology.usgs.gov/About/People/GeneShoemaker/#Biography>
* Photo Gallery
<http://astrogeology.usgs.gov/About/People/GeneShoemaker/#Photos>
* Additional Info
<http://astrogeology.usgs.gov/About/People/GeneShoemaker/#Additional>
* * Return to /About:People/
<http://astrogeology.usgs.gov/About/People/>*

Snip
_____________________________________________________________________


Thanks for looking up with me.

Larry Kellogg

Web Site: http://lkellogg.vttoth.com/LarryRussellKellogg/
BlogSpot: http://kelloggserialreports.blogspot.com/
RSS link: http://kelloggserialreports.blogspot.com/atom.xml
Newsletter: https://news.altair.com/mailman/listinfo/lunar-update

==============================================================
http://astrogeology.usgs.gov/About/AstroHistory/

The USGS Astrogeology Research Program has a rich history of
participation in space exploration efforts and planetary mapping,
starting in 1963 when the Flagstaff Science Center was established to
provide lunar geologic mapping and assist in training astronauts
destined for the Moon.

Throughout the years, the Program has participated in processing and
analyzing data from various missions to the planetary bodies in our
solar system, assisting in finding potential landing sites for
exploration vehicles, mapping our neighboring planets and their moons,
and conducting research to better understand the origins, evolutions,
and geologic processes operating on these bodies.

Historical Tour

* * Flagstaff Science Center:*
<http://astrogeology.usgs.gov/About/AstroHistory/ffc.html> How and
why the Science Center was established
* * Gene Shoemaker:*
<http://astrogeology.usgs.gov/About/AstroHistory/shoemaker.html>
The Founder of the USGS Astrogeology Research Program
* * Astronaut Training*
<http://astrogeology.usgs.gov/About/AstroHistory/astronauts.html>:
The role of Flagstaff and the USGS in astronaut training,
equipment testing, and mission simulations
* * Harrison H. Schmitt:*
<http://astrogeology.usgs.gov/About/AstroHistory/schmitt.html> a
USGS geologist goes to the Moon
* * Recommended Reading:*
<http://astrogeology.usgs.gov/About/AstroHistory/books.html> Books
and other resources about the history of the USGS Astrogeology
Research Program and the role of scientists in the early days of
the U.S. space program


Snip
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http://astrogeology.usgs.gov/Projects/LunarAtlas/
The View From The Astronaut's Eyes

Apollo Mission Lunar Exploration Media Gallery

This gallery features interactive panoramas (or /virtual reality/
movies), photography, and maps from the various Apollo manned missions
to explore the lunar surface.

Snip


Lunar Links!

* *USGS Astro:* The Earth's Moon
<http://astrogeology.usgs.gov/SolarSystem/Earth/Moon/> - links to
lunar web pages right here at the USGS Astrogeology Research Program!
* *NASA:* Apollo Lunar Surface Journal
<http://www.hq.nasa.gov/alsj/frame.html>
* *NASA NSSDC:* Lunar Exploration
<http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/planetary/lunar/> - Mission info and more
* *NASA:* Welcome to the Planets - Earth
<http://pds.jpl.nasa.gov/planets/choices/earth1.htm> (includes the
Moon) http://www.lpi.usra.edu/research/apollo/
* *LPI:* Apollo Image Atlas <http://www.lpi.usra.edu/research/apollo/>
* *SEDS:* The Nine Planets Tour - Earth's Moon
<http://www.seds.org/nineplanets/nineplanets/luna.html>
* *SEDS:* Lunar Resources <http://www.seds.org/%7Erme/lunar.html>

USGS Astrogeology Research Program Home <http://astrogeology.usgs.gov/>

The imagery and maps were prepared as part of a project by a USGS team
under funding from the USGS Technology Transfer Program and NASA's
Planetary Geology and Geophysics Program. Dr. Christopher D. Condit (U.
Massachusetts) and Mr. Richard Kozak provided scientific and technical
assistance. Contact Kenneth L Tanaka (ktanaka@usgs.gov
ktanaka@usgs.gov>), Dennis McMacken (dmcmacke@usgs.gov
dmcmacke@usgs.gov>), or Glenn Bennett (gbennett@usgs.gov
gbennett@usgs.gov>), for additional information.

Snip
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WHAT THE MIND CAN CONCEIVE, AND BELIEVE, IT WILL ACHIEVE - LRK

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A Science Vision report about living on the Moon - how it can be don(e)

On the "return_to_the_moon" group,
http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/return_to_the_moon/

Niclas Jacobsz posted the following:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Many visionaries have designed and are still designing Moon bases and
space stations around Earth, but, as is usual in many such
presentations, ignore the basics of physics, engineering and specific
conditions, often in ignorance, or with a wishful "no problem"
attitude. Since the Apollo moon landings, we know quite a bit more
about the conditions of the Moon's surface, but the artist-designers
do not take these into account and are still in the science fiction
phase, or rather, fiction only.

As the engineer in electrics, mechanics and energy conversion systems
that I am, I make in this e-book a more realistic analysis of what is
possible and develop a program that can lead to establish the first
bases and settlements on the Moon, showing designs of such structures
and transport systems, with all the functions needed to live there
and as can be done with today's technology.

This is neither Science yet, nor is it Science Fiction. This is
Science Vision instead, the vision of what is, or may be possible
within known laws of physics and today's technology, but is yet to be
done. You can download the first chapter FOR FREE here:
http://www.draaisma.net/space-tourism/moon_base_landing.php

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

You may like to take a look at the first chapter of his e-book and see
what you think.

The thoughts of large colonies on far away places paints pretty pictures
but doesn't show how you got there.

It looks like Niclas would like to show what is needed to get things started.

He questions how secure one would be on the fine powder of the regolith
and I think that has been answered by what the astronauts found with the
outings with the rovers.

I know that when you say, "powder", you may think of something soft like
talcum powder but I believe the ground up regolith was more like ground
up glass and compacted at a rather shallow depth.

I down loaded a 30.5 file on the work that is being done on making Lunar
Regolith Simulant Materials to see if my thinking was correct.
If you have the time and space you might like to look at it. See the
link below.
- LRK -

This big file is the result of a workshop on the same topic. Some links
to the workshop as well with smaller files of interest.

Hope we get some robots up there to bring back some samples in the
selected landing places so that we know what we will be dealing with.

Thanks for looking up with me.

Larry Kellogg

Web Site: http://lkellogg.vttoth.com/LarryRussellKellogg/
BlogSpot: http://kelloggserialreports.blogspot.com/
RSS link: http://kelloggserialreports.blogspot.com/atom.xml
Newsletter: https://news.altair.com/mailman/listinfo/lunar-update

==============================================================
http://isru.msfc.nasa.gov/
WELCOME to In Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU)
The In Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) is a core component of the
Vision for Space Exploration as implemented by the Science & Mission
Systems <http://sms.msfc.nasa.gov> (S&MS) Office. The ISRU works to
establish, evaluate and assess the in situ resources available on the
moon and Mars and the technologies needed to utilize and exploit these
resources. These research

and technology development areas will focus on technologies necessary to
extract consumables (O2, H2O, N2, He, etc.) for human life-support
system replenishment (ECLSS, EVA, etc.), source materials (feedstock)
for In Situ Fabrication and Repair (ISFR) technologies, and source
materials (composites, etc.) for radiation shielding and shelters from
in situ resources (lunar regolith and Martian regolith & atmosphere).
The transformation of in situ space resources into raw materials will be
studied through fundamental and applied experimental research,
theoretical modeling of processes, and technology development in the
areas of extractive and reactive processing, materials purification,
material transformation, materials shaping and handling, and
characterization of these processes in low-gravity environments.

*Lunar Regolith Simulant Materials Workshop*
<http://isru.msfc.nasa.gov/lib/workshops/lrsm2005.html> - January 24-26,
2005
Marshall Institute in Huntsville Alabama

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==============================================================
http://isru.msfc.nasa.gov/lib/Documents/PDF%20Files/NASA_TP_2006_214605.pdf
[30.5 MB PDF File, 142 pages]
NASA/TP_2006_214605
Lunar Regolith Simulant Materials:
Recommendations for Standardization,
Production, and Usage

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Background
Lunar regolith is a mixture of rock, mineral, and glass fragments
transformed into a distinctive material by a unique combination of space
weathering processes. Lunar regolith makes up the lunar soil that covers
the surface of the Moon in thicknesses from centimeters to hundreds of
meters; it reflects the geological differences observed in the lunar
geography but also displays a remarkable uniformity in many physical
characteristics. As NASA prepares to return humans to the lunar surface
for a long-term presence, knowledge of the lunar materials and their
environment has been multiplied by the careful study of the lunar
samples returned by the Apollo missions that represent a diversity of
geological materials and processes. That critical knowledge, while still
limited, enables the definition of standard lunar regolith simulant
(SLRS) materials that should be used as lunar soil analogs in hardware
development and testing.

The Apollo program developed a set of standard lunar soil simulants to
test all surface systems in preparation for the lunar landings. This
approach was highly successful despite the limited knowledge of the
lunar surface at the time. These materials no longer exist and the
library of documents describing their compositions is incomplete.

Although a variety of simulant materials was used to test Apollo surface
systems, astronauts and mission controllers encountered several
challenging problems. Some of the problems encountered with the lunar
regolith resulted in the following:

* Lunar Roving Vehicle (LRV) slippage and crew sinkage in steep slopes
of loose regolith at crater edges.

* Inability and persisting difficulty of tools to penetrate lunar
regolith beyond tens of centimeters (core drilling tube, anchoring rods,
and severe abrasion during excavation).

* Lunar dust caused hardware failures, as follows:

* Failure of seals on all rock-boxes sealed in their original vacuum
(10-12 Torr) on the Moon, resulting in no pristine lunar samples
returned to Earth.

* Jamming of extension tool handles.

* Severe abrasion compromised the joints on extra vehicular activity
(EVA) suits resulting in pressure degradation and reduction in mobility.

* Unforeseen accumulation on the LRV radiators required extensive
astronaut time for unplanned cleaning tasks that proved ineffective.

* Accumulation of lunar soil particles on EVA suits resulted in dust
invasion of the lunar module and problems with reassembly of suits for
subsequent EVAs.

* Astronaut exposure to airborne dust causing physiological irritation.

The Apollo experience demonstrated the need for extensive testing of
surface systems with materials similar to the in situ lunar materials
that will be encountered. The Mars rovers have experienced operational
challenges in climbing slopes of loose soil that have required real-time
problem simulation in a test-bed utilizing simulant material. As NASA
considers a return to the Moon, the pressing need for SLRS materials is
further compounded by the fact that the remaining lunar sample inventory
currently available (~350 kg) is insufficient in quantity to support
lunar technology projects and its scientific value is too great to be
consumed by destructive studies. Every effort must be made to utilize
simulants.

Snip
==============================================================
http://isru.msfc.nasa.gov/lib/workshops/lrsm2005.html

Lunar Regolith Simulant Materials Workshop
*/Organized by Marshall Space Flight Center in collaboration with
Johnson Space Center/*

*Lunar Regolith Simulant Materials* - January 24-26, 2005
Marshall Institute in Huntsville Alabama

/Dec 16, 2005/ - We have completed the Lunar Regolith Simulant Materials
Workshop Report, now titled "Lunar Regolith Simulant Materials:
Recommendations for Standardization, Production and Usage", and have
posted the "pre-release" version to the publications area of this
website. NASA publications will now take the document and place it in
the standard format for a NASA technical publication. A downloadable
version of the final release will be posted to the website as soon as it
is available along with information as to how to obtain a hardcopy
and/or CD of the document.

Snip
==============================================================
http://est.msfc.nasa.gov/workshops/lrsm2005_program.html

Lunar Regolith Simulant Materials Workshop

*Working Session Handouts* - Posted Feb 17, 2005
LRSM_Handouts_ws.pdf
<http://est.msfc.nasa.gov/workshops/LRSM_docs/LRSM_Handouts_ws.pdf>
(File Size: 19.2 MB)

*Workshop Program - Current Status Jan 19, 2005*
LRSM_Program.pdf
<http://est.msfc.nasa.gov/workshops/LRSM_docs/LRSM_Program_jan19.pdf>

*Abstract Book - Current Status Jan 21, 2005*
LRSM_Abstract_Book.pdf
<http://est.msfc.nasa.gov/workshops/LRSM_docs/LRSM_Abstract_Book.pdf>
(File Size: 9.9 MB)

*Presentations - Day 1*

 * Laurent Sibille
   <http://est.msfc.nasa.gov/workshops/LRSM_docs/Day1/Sibille.pdf> -
   The Status of Lunar Simulant Materials, Workshop Overview and
   Objectives
 * Larry Taylor 
<http://est.msfc.nasa.gov/workshops/LRSM_docs/Day1/TAYLOR-Characterization-1-24-05.pdf>
   - Physical and Chemical Characteristics of Lunar Regolith:
   Considerations for Simulants
 * David McKay
   <http://est.msfc.nasa.gov/workshops/LRSM_docs/Day1/McKay.pdf> -
   Evolution of the Lunar Regolith
 * Larry Taylor
 <http://est.msfc.nasa.gov/workshops/LRSM_docs/Day1/TAYLOR-Geotech-Prop-1-24-05.pdf>
   - The Geotechnical Properties of the Lunar Regolith: From Equator
   to the Poles
 * Susan Batiste
   <http://est.msfc.nasa.gov/workshops/LRSM_docs/Day1/Batiste.pdf> -
   Lunar Regolith Simulant MLS-1: Production and Engineering Properties
 * Paul Carpenter
   <http://est.msfc.nasa.gov/workshops/LRSM_docs/Day1/Carpenter.pdf>
   - Characterization Strategies and Requirements for Lunar Regolith
   Simulant Materials
 * Paul Carpenter
   <http://est.msfc.nasa.gov/workshops/LRSM_docs/Day1/CarpenterM_M2003.pdf>
   - JSC Mars-1 Martian Soil Simulant:Melting Experimentsand Electron
   Microprobe Studies
 * Greg Meeker
   <http://est.msfc.nasa.gov/workshops/LRSM_docs/Day1/Meeker.pdf> -
   Characterization of Chemical and Physical Properties of Proposed
   Simulant Materials
 * Steve Wilson
   <http://est.msfc.nasa.gov/workshops/LRSM_docs/Day1/Wilson.pdf> -
   Development of Geochemical Reference Materials at the United
   States Geological Survey
 * Masami Nakagawa
   <http://est.msfc.nasa.gov/workshops/LRSM_docs/Day1/Nakagawa.pdf> -
   The Moon as a Beach of Fine Powders
 * Russ Kerschmann
   <http://est.msfc.nasa.gov/workshops/LRSM_docs/Day1/Kerschmann.pdf>
   - Biological Effects of Lunar Surface Mineral Particulates
 * James Gaier
   <http://est.msfc.nasa.gov/workshops/LRSM_docs/Day1/Gaier_LRSim_Wrkshp.pdf>
   - The Effects of Lunar Dust on Advanced EVA Systems: Lessons from
   Apollo

*Presentations - Day 2*

 * Gary Lofgren
   <http://est.msfc.nasa.gov/workshops/LRSM_docs/Day2/Lofgren.pdf> -
   Sintering, Melting, and Crystallization of Lunar Soil With An
   Experimental Petrologic Point of View
 * Donald Sadoway
   <http://est.msfc.nasa.gov/workshops/LRSM_docs/Day2/Sadoway_1.pdf>
   - Towards Lunar Simulants Possessing Properties Critical to
   Research & Development of Extractive Processes
 * Donald Sadoway
   <http://est.msfc.nasa.gov/workshops/LRSM_docs/Day2/Sadoway_2.pdf>
   - Extraction Processes in Supercritical Fluids (SCFs)
 * Ernest Berney
   <http://est.msfc.nasa.gov/workshops/LRSM_docs/Day2/Berney.pdf> -
   The In-Situ State: The Elusive Ingredient in Lunar Simulant
 * David Cole
 <http://est.msfc.nasa.gov/workshops/LRSM_docs/Day2/Cole_Shoop_Corcoran.pdf>
   - Lunar Regolith Simulant Requirements: Mechanical Properties
   Considerations
 * Paul Lowman
   <http://est.msfc.nasa.gov/workshops/LRSM_docs/Day2/Lowman.pdf> -
   Composition of the Lunar Highland Crust: A New Model
 * Jim Adams
 <http://est.msfc.nasa.gov/workshops/LRSM_docs/Day2/Radiation_Shielding.pdf>
   - Space Radiation and Lunar Regolith
 * Larry Taylor
 <http://est.msfc.nasa.gov/workshops/LRSM_docs/Day2/TAYLOR-Natural-Simulants.pdf>
   - Geologic Settings for Simulant
 * David Lynch
   <http://est.msfc.nasa.gov/workshops/LRSM_docs/Day2/Lynch_1.pdf> -
   Presentation

*Poster Presentations*

 * FARM - Fabrication, Assembly and Repair Module
   <http://est.msfc.nasa.gov/workshops/LRSM_docs/Poster_Farm.pdf>
 * In-Situ Resources UtilizationProcessing of Lunar Materials
   <http://est.msfc.nasa.gov/workshops/LRSM_docs/Poster_Reddy.pdf> -
   Dr. Ramana Reddy
 * In Situ Fabrication and Repair - Solid Freeform Fabrication
   <http://est.msfc.nasa.gov/workshops/LRSM_docs/poster_ISFR_SFF.pdf>
 * Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) Technology Demo Concept for MSG
   <http://est.msfc.nasa.gov/workshops/LRSM_docs/Poster_ISFR-FAB_MSG.pdf>

Snip
==============================================================

http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2006/28dec_truefake.htm
True Fakes: Scientists make simulated lunar soil
12.28.2006
*
Dec. 28 , 2006:* Life is tough for a humble grain of dirt on the surface
of the Moon. It's peppered with cosmic rays, exposed to solar flares,
and battered by micrometeorites--shattered, vaporized and re-condensed
countless times over the billions of years. Adding insult to injury,
Earthlings want to strip it down to oxygen and other elements for "in
situ resource utilization," or ISRU, the process of living off the land
when NASA returns to the Moon in the not-so-distant future.

But, as Robert Heinlein famously observed, "the Moon is a harsh
mistress." Living with moondust and striping it down may be trickier
than anyone supposes.

To find out how tricky, researchers would like to test their ideas for
ISRU and their designs for lunar rovers on real lunar soil before
astronauts return to the Moon. But there's a problem: "We don't have
enough real moondust to go around," says Larry Taylor, director of
Planetary Geosciences Institute at the University of Tennessee in
Knoxville. To run all the tests, "we need to make a well-qualified lunar
simulant." And not just a few bags will do. "We need tons of it, mainly
for working on technologies for diggers and wheels and machinery on the
surface," adds David S. McKay, chief scientist for astrobiology at the
Johnson Space Center (JSC).

Snip
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WHAT THE MIND CAN CONCEIVE, AND BELIEVE, IT WILL ACHIEVE - LRK

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