Process Demonstration For Lunar In Situ Resource Utilization—Molten Oxide Electrolysis (MSFC Independent Research and Development Project No. 5–81)

The purpose of this Focus Area Independent Research and Development project was to conduct, at Marshall Space Flight Center, an experimental demonstration of the processing of simulated lunar resources by the molten oxide electrolysis process to produce oxygen and metal.

In essence, the vision was to develop two key technologies—the first to produce materials (oxygen, metals, and silicon) from lunar resources and the second to produce energy by photocell production on the Moon using these materials. Together, these two technologies have the potential to greatly reduce the costs and risks of NASA’s human exploration program. Further, it is believed that these technologies are the key first step toward harvesting abundant materials and energy independent of Earth’s resources.