SSP (Synthetic Shergottite Powder), a new martian analogue for destructive analysis and experiments

Fortier, V. Debaille, V. Dehant, Véronique [UCL] Bultel, B.

: Martian rocky material available on Earth is only composed of meteorites and is quite limited in terms of mass and numbers. So far, less than 200 kg of material distributed unevenly among around 280 martian meteorites is available, and this limited amount directly impairs the possibility to perform destructive analyses and experiments, such as alteration and hydrothermal experiments. One of the main aspects of the current Mars2020 mission and the following ones is to bring back rock samples from Mars in the next 10 years [1]. However, while we will have a geological context for the samples, the total mass that will be collected will also be limited. It is thus crucial to seek for analogs of martian meteorites [2], not suffering this limitation while bearing specific properties of the martian meteorites. It is important to note that an analog must not need to be perfect but fit for the purpose of the considered experiments.