• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.39 no.10
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• pp.49-55
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• 2023

The discovery of lunar ice in the lunar polar region has fueled international interest in in situ resource utilization (ISRU) and the construction of lunar habitats. Unlike Earth's atmosphere, the Moon presents unique challenges, including frequent meteoroid impacts, direct exposure to space radiation, and extreme temperature variations. To safeguard lunar habitats from these threats, the construction of a protective shield is essential. Lunar regolith, as a construction material, offers distinct advantages, reducing transportation costs and ensuring a sustainable supply of raw materials. Moreover, it streamlines manufacturing, integration schedules, and enables easy repairs and modifications without Earth resupply. Adjusting the shield's thickness within the habitat's structural limits remains feasible as lunar conditions evolve. Although extensive research on protective shields using lunar regolith has been conducted, unresolved conflicts persist regarding shield requirements. This study conducts a comprehensive analysis of the primary lunar threats and suggests a minimum shield thickness of 2 m using lunar regolith. Furthermore, it outlines the necessary technology for the rapid construction of such protective shields.

• The Bulletin of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.93.2-93.2
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• 2013

Polarization of the light scattered by the lunar surface contains information on the mean particle size of the lunar regolith, which gradually decreases by continued micro-meteoroid impact over a long period and thus is an age indicator of the surface. We performed multi-band (U, B, V, R and I) polarimetric observations toward the whole near side of the Moon at the Lick observatory using a 15-cm reflecting telescope with 1.1km/pixel spatial resolution at the center of the lunar disk. We analyze the color dependence of the polarization properties of the lunar regolith and discuss its implication for the study of lunar swirls.

• The Bulletin of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.64.1-64.1
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• 2019

Thermal fracture and cracking near the perihelion are found to be a possible mechanism to produce the dust trail of the near-Earth asteroid, (3200) Phaethon (Jewitt and Li, 2013, ApJ 771, L36). It is, however, not well understood how the debris particles were escalated from the regolith against the asteroid's gravity. Thus, the scenario that these debris particles are responsible for the detected activities (Li and Jewitt, 2013, ApJ, 145, 154), is not complete yet. Here, we hypothesize that the thermal radiation pressure around the perihelion passage would exert substantial force outwards from the regolith on dust grains, and they can be lifted up and contributes the dust tail formation with further help of solar radiation pressure. Our modeling indicates that particles with sizes of roughly ~1-10 micron can be ejected from Phaethon by the mechanism, while a detailed model of gravitational field is required for accurate estimation of the particle size range. Our idea is not necessarily limited to Phaethon case, but is applicable to any atmosphereless bodies.

• Journal of the Korean association of regional geographers
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.534-545
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• 2003

The main purpose of this paper is to describe the granitic regolith and frost creep phenomena in Daegwanryung area in order to demonstrate the relationship of the weathered materials and the surrounding surface, in order to point out that the characteristics of this particular complex of granitic regolith most closely resemble those of soil frost creep phenomena formed elsewhere under periglacial conditions. For this study, the writer has clarified their structure and its associated milieux, with a group of methods and techniques, field survey, micro-morphological analysis, granulometry of weathered materials etc. Such facies of granitic regolith in situ with silty heterometric materials and micas are prone to be deformed by cryo-suction as well as deep freezing. It was probably formed by cryogenic activity, or frost creep in the periglacial climate of a very cold and humid condition.

• The Bulletin of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.45.2-46
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• 2020

Various processes, such as space weathering and granular convection, are occurring on asteroids' surfaces. Estimation of the surface exposure timescale is essential for understanding these processes. The Hayabusa mission target asteroid, (25143) Itokawa (Sq-type) is the only asteroid whose age is estimated from remote sensing observations as well as sample analyses in laboratories. There is, however, an unignorable discrepancy between the timescale derived from these different techniques. The ages estimated based on the solar flare track density and the weathered rim thickness of regolith samples range between 102 and 104 years [1][2]. On the contrary, the ages estimated from the crater size distributions and the spectra cover from 106 to 107 years [3][4]. It is important to notice that there is a common drawback of both age estimation methods. Since the evidence of regolith migration is found on the surface of Itokawa [5], the surficial particles would be rejuvenated by granular convection. At the same time, it is expected that the erasure of craters by regolith migration would affect the crater size distribution. We propose a new technique to estimate surface exposure age, focusing on the bright mottles on the large boulders. Our technique is less prone to the granular convection. These mottles are expected to be formed by impacts of mm to cm-sized interplanetary particles. Together with the well-known flux model of interplanetary dust particles (e.g., Grün, 1985 [6]), we have investigated the timescale to form such mottles before they become dark materials again by the space weathering. In this work, we used three AMICA (Asteroid Multi-band Imaging Camera) v-band images. These images were taken on 2005 November 12 during the close approach to the asteroid. As a result, we found the surface exposure timescales of these boulders are an order of 106 years. In this meeting, we will introduce our data analysis technique and evaluate the consistency among previous research for a better understanding of the evolution of this near-Earth asteroid.

• Journal of The Geomorphological Association of Korea
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.99-110
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• 2010

This study elucidates the interrelationship between climatic, morpological, and hydraulic milieu in the drainage basins of Keum-gae river from the viewpoint of ecogeography. The region of this basin is located at low-relief hills. Because hills are made up of granitic regolith by deep weathering, the rate of permeability is very high. And, the speed of drainage is very fast, and the deficit of water easily revealed and BOD is very high. Therefore a great deals of efforts are needed for the maintenance of stable milieu.

• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.78-85
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• 2005

This study, combining geophysical and environmental approaches, was undertaken to investigate the causes of secondary salinity in the Goondoola basin, in southwestern Queensland. Airborne radiometric, electromagnetic and ground electromagnetic datasets were acquired, along with data on soils and subsurface materials and groundwater. Relationships established between radiometric, elevation data, and measured material properties allowed us to generate predictive maps of surface materials and recharge potential. Greatest recharge to the groundwater is predicted to occur on the weathered bedrock rises surrounding the basin. Electromagnetic data (airborne, ground, and downhote), used in conjunction with soil and drillhole measurements, were used to quantify regolith salt store and to define the subsurface architecture. Conductivity measurements reflect soil salt distribution. However, deeper in the regolith, where the salt content is relatively constant, the AEM signal is influenced by changes in porosity or material type. This allowed the lateral distribution of bedrock weathering zones to be mapped. Salinisation in this area occurs because of local-andintermediate-scale processes, controlled strongly by regolith architecture. The present surface outbreak is the result of evaporative concentration above shallow saline groundwater, discharging at break of slope. The integration of surficial and subsurface datasets allowed the identification of similar landscape settings that are most at risk of developing salinity with groundwater rise. This information is now being used by local land managers to refine management choices that prevent excess recharge and further salt mobilisation.

• Journal of Space Technology and Applications
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• v.3 no.3
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• pp.199-212
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• 2023

In contrast to the short-term nature of lunar missions in the past, lunar missions in new space era aim to extend the presence on the lunar surface and to use this capability for the Mars exploration. In order to realize extended human presence on the Moon, production and use of consumables and fuels required for the habitation and transportation using in-situ resources is an important prerequisite. The Global Exploration Roadmap presented by the International Space Exploration Coordination Group (ISECG), which reflects the space exploration plans of participating countries, shows the phases of progress from lunar surface exploration to Mars exploration and relates in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) capabilities to each phase. Based on the ISRU Gap Assessment Report from the ISECG, ISRU technology is categorized into in-situ propellant and consumable production, in-situ construction, in-space manufacturing, and related areas such as storage and utilization of products, power systems required for resource utilization. Among the lunar resources, leading countries have prioritized the utilization of ice water existing in the permanent shadow region near the lunar poles and the extraction of oxygen from the regolith, and are preparing to investigate the distribution of resources and ice water near the lunar south pole through unmanned landing missions. Resource utilization technologies such as producing hydrogen and oxygen from water by hydroelectrolysis and extracting oxygen from the lunar regolith are being developed and tested in relevant lunar surface analogue environments. It is also observed that each government emphasizes the use and development of the private sector capabilities for sustainable lunar surface exploration by purchasing lunar landing services and providing opportunities to participate in resource exploration and material extraction.

• Journal of the Korean association of regional geographers
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.17-26
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• 2012

In Hwangtohyun, meaning 'red soil pass', reddish surface mantles is widespread. Other granitic hills, exceptionally Naju and Youngam area, in Korean peninsula don't commonly have that color. This paper attempts to address this issue by CIA(chemical index of alteration). CIA data and A-CN-K diagram provide crucial insights into the changes in the relative contributions of chemical physical weathering in difference of grus regolith and saprolite. CaO and $Na_2O$ show strong depletion and $K_2O$ is progressive loss. In grus regolith, weathering trends are (sub)parallel to the CN-A join of the A-CN-K diagram, but the sample's composition plot ever closer to the A-K join in saprolite. The difference of weathering trend obtained using CIA data corresponds closely with the visual interpretation of soil color and texture.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.36 no.8
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• pp.17-25
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• 2020

Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology has constructed a large scale Dust Thermal Vacuum Chamber to simulate extreme lunar terrestrial environments and to study the Moon as an outposts for space development and exploration. Although a large amount of KLS-1 (Korean Lunar Simulant-1) is required for research, its massive production is practically difficult. This paper describes semi-automatic manufacturing system for massive production of KLS-1 in detail, which is seven times more efficient than manual production. In addition, to increase the similarity with lunar regolith, hydrogen reduction reaction using ilmenite which is one of the minerals was also conducted to simulate nanophase Fe(0) which is the unique property of lunar regolith. As a result, it was found that np-Fe(0) was formed at a temperature of 700℃ or higher, and increased in proportion to the temperature until 900℃.