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Off Planet Research just shipped 720 kg (1587 pounds) of lunar regolith simulant- filling three drums!- internationally. Surviving and thriving in space truly requires the support and collaboration of domestic and international organizations. The success of our clients and partners is our top priority, always.

One of our Co-Owners, Vince Roux, was asked to speak on a panel at the NewSpace Conference

Melissa Roth and Vince Roux of Off Planet Research were invited to be featured speakers and presented their work at the Regional Economic Forecast and Innovation Expo in December. They also had the opportunity to speak with other innovators at their booth during the event. The Expo showcases innovative technology from Thurston, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, and Grays Harbor counties in Washington. The photo below shows the poster at OPR's booth that just so happens to point out lead researchers Melissa and Vince.

South Sound Biz featured an amazing article in their February 2018 publication on Off Planet Research, where they spoke to Vince Roux and Melissa Roth about what we do, and where we’re going.

The Off Planet Research team enjoyed sharing our work recently at our Open House. The poster we are holding is a flashback to our Space.com article from July. You can view that article at: https://www.space.com/37405-moon-rock-manufacturing-helps-rovers.html

The past two days at the Lunar Exploration Analysis Group (LEAG) Conference in Baltimore, Maryland have been filled with great discussion on the advances in lunar technology and the upcoming missions to the Moon. One highlight of the event was meeting Apollo 17 astronaut, Harrison “Jack” Schmitt, pictured below with Vince Roux of Off Planet Research (OPR), Jonette Stecklein of NASA JSC, and Melissa Roth of OPR. Not only does Jack have the extraordinary experience of physically working with equipment in actual lunar regolith, he is committed to using his vast knowledge of the Moon to help others achieve mission success. It was exciting to hear his opinions on lunar regolith and what characteristics lunar regolith simulants might be able to better emulate for lunar technology testing.

Vince and Melissa also presented this morning on the lunar regolith simulants OPR is creating and why high-quality, controlled simulants are necessary when testing lunar technology. Many subsequent discussions resulted from their presentation with representatives from Blue Origin, ESA, NASA, JPL, Astrobotic, and Honeybee Robotics to name a few. It is invaluable to have discussions with companies who are designing lunar technology regarding their needs for testing and how OPR’s services and high-quality simulants can help provide higher mission assurance. OPR looks forward to many more discussions over the next couple days as the LEAG conference transitions into the Back to the Moon conference.

Off Planet Research recently received a shipment of over twenty tons of a rare type of basalt that is recognized as one of the best materials for creating simulated lowland lunar soil (called regolith). Lowland areas of the moon are the darker colored patches on the surface of the moon. While there are other labs that made lunar lowland simulants, many of those simulants have not always been properly controlled to maintain a high level of quality. Full-scale testing of lunar landers and rovers will require large simulations of the moon’s surface. Otherwise it is like trying to clean a small closet with a full size vacuum (not very effective). As production of both highland and lowland simulants continues, Off Planet Research will be the best source of lunar regolith simulants and an excellent place for moon-bound organizations to bring their landers and rovers for testing. Their current facility is located at Saint Martin’s University in Lacey, Washington.

Off Planet Research’s Vincent Roux and Melissa Roth will be speaking at NASA’s Lunar Exploration and Analysis Group (LEAG) conference in Columbia, Maryland this October. They will be briefing NASA, researchers, and space-based industry representatives on their progress toward building their climate controlled lunar surface simulation lab and the production of simulated lunar soils, which researchers call regolith. While other lunar regolith simulants have been produced in the past, the simulants produced by Off Planet Research are uniquely more moonlike due to their special production methods, equipment, and materials that replicate the natural process of regolith formation on the moon. Immediately after the conference, Vincent and Melissa will also be participating in the “Back to the Moon” workshop, discussing next steps to return to the moon with key government and industry representatives. The photo below shows Melissa and Vince presenting a poster last year at LEAG.

At the NASA Lunar Exploration Advisory Group Conference with Bernard Foing, European Space Agency. Executive Director of the International Lunar Exploration Working Group (Center). Just one of the amazing people we talked with about our project! Melissa Roth (left) and Vince Roux (right).

We were asked to present to the Board of Trustees for Saint Martin's University in late May. It was a fantastic opportunity to share our vision with a wonderful group of influential supporters and hear their feedback as professionals. Thank you Saint Martin's University for all of your support!