Extracting oxygen from lunar soil is more than a technical challenge. It is a gateway to long-term presence on the Moon. At ESRIC, we are exploring how to turn the minerals locked in regolith into breathable oxygen, without bringing extra resources from Earth.
My current work focuses on simulating and understanding the complex thermochemical reactions needed to release oxygen from metal oxides. Using models that integrate heat transfer, reaction kinetics, and material behavior, we are building a framework to guide real processing efforts.
Some of these approaches involve molten salt electrolysis or plasma-based systems, each with its own benefits and constraints. What connects them all is the need to deeply understand how granular, dusty lunar materials behave under these extreme conditions.
This is not just a technical exercise. It is about building the foundation for closed-loop systems, where the Moon’s own materials support future exploration. By combining simulation, lab work, and mission-driven design, we are helping to turn this vision into something tangible.
Add comment