Martian-Regolith Photocurable Composites: Mineralogy, Perchlorates, Atmosphere, Temperature and Processing

Martian-regolith photocurable composites sit at the intersection of simulant fidelity, reactive salts, particulate processing and environmental exposure. The largest qualification risk is to treat any basaltic simulant as a sufficient proxy for Mars. Modern Mars simulants differ in mineralogical construction, volatile inventory and perchlorate content, while polymer-processing demonstrations often address a different binder route entirely. This review defines the evidence needed to use Martian-regolith-derived feedstocks in photocurable composites, including simulant identity, salt state, optical/rheological effects, atmospheric and thermal conditions, post-processing and environmental qualification. ER-442.