Carbothermal reduction of lunar materials for oxygen production on the moon

Rice, E. E.; Rosenberg, Sanders D.; Musbah, Omran A.; Hermes, Paul; Bemowski, Paul

doi:10.2514/6.1996-487

Cited by 4 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 0 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…This process reduces the iron and silicon oxides in the regolith which produces iron and silicon in addition to the oxygen. According to previous ORBITEC experiments, at least 9% of the regolith mass can be recovered as oxygen with virtually no loss of carbon (at 1630 C processing temperature) [Rice et al, 1996]. Higher processing temperatures may allow up to 28% of the regolith mass to be recovered.…”

Section: Conceptual Design For Isru Production Plantmentioning

confidence: 98%

ISRU support for a self-sustaining lunar colony

O'Handley¹,

Rice²,

Gustafson³

2001

39th Aerospace Sciences Meeting and Exhibit

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The concept of in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) has become an important part of current architectures for both a return to the Moon and the eventual human exploration of Mars. The ability to manufacture life support components and propellants from local resources will enable future human exploration of our solar system. ORBITEC has conducted a NIACsponsored study of an overall system architecture for a self-sustaining lunar colony (SSLC). A self-sustaining colony would be able to survive without any supplies or resources from Earth for an extended period of time. The design of a self-sustaining architecture appears to be feasible and represents an attractive alternative to what would be a regular Earth-supported lunar colony. The SSLC has several benefits, such as reducing the operating costs of the colony and reducing the risks of operating the colony remotely. The establishment of SSLC is necessary to drive new innovative approaches/ developments that would ultimately support a much lower cost and highly-survivable human colonization of the Moon, Mars, and other bodies in the solar system. Once established, the SSLC will implement many innovative applications for the production of needed structures and commodities from lunar materials. This paper outlines the vital role of ISRU in the system architecture of the SSLC.

show abstract

Section: Conceptual Design For Isru Production Plantmentioning

confidence: 98%

ISRU support for a self-sustaining lunar colony

O'Handley¹,

Rice²,

Gustafson³

2001

39th Aerospace Sciences Meeting and Exhibit

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

In-situ electric power generation to support solar system exploration and colonization: manufacture of thin film silicon solar cells on the Moon

Ignatiev

Freundlich²,

Duke³

et al.

2001 IEEE Aerospace Conference Proceedings (Cat. No.01TH8542)

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The long term exploration and colonization of the solar system for scientific research and commercial interests depends critically on the availability of electrical energy. In addition, the long term potential for humans to settle space requires self-sufficiency and therefore, self-sustaining electrical power systems. This can be attained on the Moon by utilizing the indigenous resources present there through the fabrication of solar cells using thin film growth technology and the vacuum environment present on the surface of the Moon.. Thin f i l m silicon-based solar cells will be fabricated directly on the surface of the Moon over a period of time to form a power system that can reach 1 M W in several years. This unique approach for the emplacement of a safe electric power system on the Moon would require the transportation of a much smaller mass of equipment to the Moon than would otherwise be required to install a power system brought to the Moon, and would result in a power system that was repairableheplaceable through the simple fabrication of more solar cells.

show abstract

Solar cell development on the surface of Moon from in-situ lunar resources

Ignatiev¹,

Freundlich²,

Horton³

2004 IEEE Aerospace Conference Proceedings (IEEE Cat. No.04TH8720)

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Carbothermal reduction of lunar materials for oxygen production on the moon

Cited by 4 publications

References 0 publications

ISRU support for a self-sustaining lunar colony

ISRU support for a self-sustaining lunar colony

In-situ electric power generation to support solar system exploration and colonization: manufacture of thin film silicon solar cells on the Moon

Solar cell development on the surface of Moon from in-situ lunar resources

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About