Simulating Saltation
ABRADE simulates aeolian abrasion on Mars by roating 10 cm long ampules 360 degrees. This results in the ampules being upturned twice per rotation and the contents of the ampules - Mars analogous minerals or rocks - falling a distance of 10cm. This results in collisions that approximate the average wind speed on Mars. Crucially, the energy imparted by the falls can be calculated allowing the relationship between energy, surface area of abraded material and the products of ABRADE experiments to be investigated.
