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<p>Laser-based rock fragmentation poses a promising but underexplored approach for in situ lunar resource extraction. This study systematically evaluates its feasibility by investigating the ablation responses of three terrestrial simulants (for mare basalt, breccia, and highland anorthosite) to continuous-wave laser irradiation (200–1000 W). Through XRD and XRF analyses, the chemical and mineralogical similarities between simulants and actual lunar samples were systematically evaluated. Quantitative analyses of hole dimensions, mass loss, and specific energy revealed distinct power-dependent efficiencies: basalt performed optimally at ≥ 800 W, while breccia showed higher efficiency at ≤ 600 W. The highest-performing simulant (Basalt-B) achieving a hole depth of 12.95 mm and an area of 38.02 mm<sup>2</sup> at 1000 W, accompanied by a low modified specific energy of 122.25 kJ/g. Real-time infrared thermography confirmed Gaussian-like temperature fields, with breccia and anorthosite melting faster than basalt. Post-irradiation characterization using SEM and XRD indicated material-specific fracture mechanisms: microcracks developed in basalt and anorthosite, whereas breccia primarily formed molten micropores. Mineral phase transitions confirmed laser-induced thermal decomposition of silicates. These findings elucidate the ablation mechanisms of lunar-like materials and confirm the potential of laser technology for future lunar mining, providing critical process insights and quantitative design guidelines.</p>

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Experimental Study on the Feasibility and Mechanism of Laser Ablation of Lunar Rock Simulants

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年7月10日

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  • Siqi Wu,
  • Yi Hu,
  • Yong Kang,
  • Yiwei Liu,
  • Lian Li,
  • Yong Huang,
  • Xin Wang,
  • Haizeng Pan

摘要

Laser-based rock fragmentation poses a promising but underexplored approach for in situ lunar resource extraction. This study systematically evaluates its feasibility by investigating the ablation responses of three terrestrial simulants (for mare basalt, breccia, and highland anorthosite) to continuous-wave laser irradiation (200–1000 W). Through XRD and XRF analyses, the chemical and mineralogical similarities between simulants and actual lunar samples were systematically evaluated. Quantitative analyses of hole dimensions, mass loss, and specific energy revealed distinct power-dependent efficiencies: basalt performed optimally at ≥ 800 W, while breccia showed higher efficiency at ≤ 600 W. The highest-performing simulant (Basalt-B) achieving a hole depth of 12.95 mm and an area of 38.02 mm2 at 1000 W, accompanied by a low modified specific energy of 122.25 kJ/g. Real-time infrared thermography confirmed Gaussian-like temperature fields, with breccia and anorthosite melting faster than basalt. Post-irradiation characterization using SEM and XRD indicated material-specific fracture mechanisms: microcracks developed in basalt and anorthosite, whereas breccia primarily formed molten micropores. Mineral phase transitions confirmed laser-induced thermal decomposition of silicates. These findings elucidate the ablation mechanisms of lunar-like materials and confirm the potential of laser technology for future lunar mining, providing critical process insights and quantitative design guidelines.