Oxygen, Metals and Building Materials from Regolith
What can be made from ordinary lunar soil, without ice, and is it worth making?
Chapter summary
Lunar regolith is about 40–45% oxygen by mass, bound in minerals.
Key takeaways
- 1
Several processes can free it: hydrogen reduction of ilmenite, carbothermal reduction and molten regolith electrolysis, which also leaves metals such as iron, silicon and aluminium.
- 2
Oxygen is the most valuable product because it makes up most of rocket propellant and all of breathing gas.
- 3
Regolith is also the obvious material for shielding, landing pads and roads.
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