“This is a key step towards establishing a sustainable human presence on the Moon”
NASA is going to mine resources on the moon. Initially, we are talking about oxygen and water, and eventually the list may include iron and rare earth elements, as Reuters writes.
The US space agency plans to return Americans to the moon as part of its Artemis mission by 2025. NASA plans to quantify potential resources, including energy, water and lunar soil, to attract commercial investment, according to Gerald Sanders, a rocket scientist at NASA’s Johnston Space Center.
“We are trying to invest in the exploration phase, evaluate resources to mitigate risks, and also so that outside investment could lead to development and production,” Gerald Sanders said at a mining conference in Brisbane.
US wants to mine oxygen and iron on the moon
NASA will send a test drilling rig to the Moon and plans to begin large-scale excavations of lunar soil (regolith) and launch a pilot processing plant in 2032.
It is expected that the first customers will be commercial rocket companies that will be able to use the resources of the moon. The Australian Space Agency is involved in the development of a semi-autonomous rover that will take samples of regolith as part of a NASA mission as early as 2026.
It has long been known that lunar soil is rich in oxides, which, when heated, release oxygen and related metals. The rover will collect lunar soil. Using special equipment sent to the Moon along with the rover, NASA will remotely extract oxygen from the regolith.
“This is a key step towards establishing a sustainable human presence on the Moon, as well as supporting future missions to Mars,” said Gerald Sanders.
