The alchemy of Metalysis transforms moon dust into oxygen

The technology could prove to be a first step towards creating an extraterrestrial oxygen extraction facility, the agency hopes. This would have the dual benefit of helping to support life on the Moon and avoiding large costs of shipping materials from Earth. Potentially, it provides a key ingredient needed to synthesize the rocket fuel needed to power a rocket on its return journey to Earth.

“The electrochemical process takes place in a specially designed chamber: those used for research are the size of a washing machine,” says ESA.

“The oxygen-containing material is immersed in a molten salt, heated to 950 ° C. A current is then passed through, which triggers the extraction of oxygen and migration through the liquid salt to collect at an electrode, leaving behind a mixture of metal powders.

Metalysis Regolith

Metalysis has already developed a mineral extraction process that is used to produce metals for production and earlier this year it was shown to work with simulated lunar regolith. This is the thin layer of rock that covers the Moon. By weight, it contains about 45% oxygen which is bonded to metals such as iron and titanium.

“A few years ago we realized that the seemingly irrelevant byproduct of our process of extracting Earth’s minerals could have far-reaching applications in space exploration,” says Ian Mellor, CEO of Metalysis.

“We look forward to continuing to explore with ESA and our industrial partners how to prepare our Earth technology for space.”

Lunar presence

The project is part of ESA’s preparations to establish a permanent and sustainable lunar presence. The idea is that, eventually, astronauts can live and work on the Moon, where they will prepare for more distant missions in space.

“In the future, if we want to travel extensively in space and create bases on the Moon and Mars, then we will have to create or find the things necessary to sustain life: food, water and breathable air,” says Sue Horne, head of space exploration at the British Space Agency.

“Metalysis’ involvement in a program that aims to do just that, by producing oxygen on a lunar environment, will showcase the UK’s space credentials on the world stage and help unlock discoveries that bring future space exploration closer.”