Cicco v. National Aeronautics and Space Administration, The

Filing 1

COMPLAINT with trial location of Wichita (Filing fee $400, Internet Payment Receipt Number AKSDC-4501195), filed by Laura Murray Cicco. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1 - Photograph, # 2 Exhibit 2 - Photograph of Note, # 3 Exhibit 3 - Testing Report)(McHugh, Christopher)

April 2, 2018
To: Christopher M. McHugh, Esq.
Seigfreid Bingham, PC
2323 Grand Blvd #1000
Kansas City, MO 64108
[phone]

3

From: Tom Tague, Ph.D.
Bruker Corporation
40 Manning Road
Billerica, MA 01821
978-439-9899 e5110
Re: Lunar sample analysis______________________________________________________________
Dear Chris,
Per your request, I have expanded the analysis of the sample provided by Mr. Chris Cicco. As before, the
chemical composition of moon soil has been well described in the literature and will be referenced in this
report. X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy and x-ray diffraction (XRD) spectroscopy have been
utilized in the testing of the sample. XRF spectroscopy is a well-established tool for determining the
elemental content of materials and XRD spectroscopy allows the geological content to be more
specifically identified. It should also be noted that a research XRF instrument (M4 Tornado) was used to
confirm the previous handheld XRF measurements. A research D8 Advance research system was utilized
for the XRD measurements.
Validating the scientific instruments
XRF – The established NIST traceable standard 2710a was run to verify the instrument performance of
the utilized M4 Tornado research XRF instrument (Bruker Corporation, Billerica, MA).
XRD – The D8 Advance research system instrument response and alignment were verified using a NIST
SRM 1976 (Al2O3) (corundum) standard.
Experimental Parameters
XRD – The sample was measured on a D8 Advance with a rotation stage and Lynxeye XE-T detector
under the following conditions:
Source: Cu (40kV, 40mA)
Divergence slit: 0.6mm
Soller slits: 2.5deg
Scan range: 5-70deg 2theta
Step size: 0.02deg
Time/step: 1 sec
Total time: 1 hour
XRF – 60 second acquisitions for three data collects were performed to ensure reproducibility. An
acquisition time of 60 seconds for each was performed.

Results
XRD - The mineralogy is consistent with the known composition of lunar regolith. The absence of
olivine, presence of quartz, and high plagioclase content suggest a felsic composition, so likely from the
anorthositic highlands and not from the basaltic lunar mare (mafic). These is also a considerable amount
of amorphous content (~30%), also consistent with lunar regolith. From an XRD perspective, there is no
evidence to rule out a lunar origin. This assessment is based upon careful comparison with the following
references:
https://curator.jsc.nasa.gov/lunar/lsc/74220.pdf
https://curator.jsc.nasa.gov/lunar/lsc/74241.pdf
https://curator.jsc.nasa.gov/lunar/lsc/72431.pdf
Lunar soil catalog information from NASA
https://curator.jsc.nasa.gov/lunar/catalogs/other/lunar_soils_catalog.pdf
(handbook of lunar soils)
Figure 1: Composite XRD spectrum of moon dust sample

XRF - Bulk XRF analysis had a different result. Plotting FeO + MgO vs Al2O3 revealed a composition
similar to “average crust of Earth” as shown below and does not follow the lunar meteorite trend. This is
in agreement with the previously reported results. FeO vs. MnO does follow the lunar trend, but Earth
and lunar systems are not considerably different. We conclude that the chemical composition of the
sample is not consistent with lunar regolith. A more conclusive result could likely be obtained by
investigating the chemistry of individual pyroxene grains (Papike et al., 2003).
Figure 2 – Scatter plots of FeO + MgO vs Al2O3 and FeO vs MnO with the reported results shown by
the applied cross target.

Conclusions:
The XRF data collected in this investigation yielded results very similar to those previously reported. The
XRD results would seem to indicate that this sample may have originated from lunar regolith. At this
point, it would be difficult to rule out lunar origin. I am speculating, but it may be possible that some
dust from the earth became mingled with this likely lunar sample. If there are any questions or
concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely yours,
Tom