Exploring Martian and Lunar geochemistry through the study of meteorites, analogs, laboratory simulations, and analysis of mission data

Abstract

This PhD Thesis is focused on the geochemical study of the Moon and Mars in order to provide science support for current and future space missions. Throughout this thesis a bibliographic review of all the past and current Martian landing missions, as well as their scientific payload was performed. In this work an improved calibration model for the estimation of the forsterite and fayalite content in olivines was proposed. Likewise, the primary, secondary and weathering mineral phases of the LAR 12095 and RBT 04262 Martian meteorites were identified. Though this identification it was posible to trace the history of the primary minerals of Mars and how they are transformed into secondary minerals through different weathering processes. The formation of sulfates already found on Marsand others expected to be found was simulated by laboratory simulation. It was also observed how the Raman response of the previous sulfates synthesized changes as function of temperature. Subsequently, the organic protective capacity of crust soils, smectites and microbioalites was studied. Finally, it has been evaluated how oxidized lunar regolith could serve as a resource for future plant cultivation.