Sierra Space Aims to Produce Oxygen on the Moon with New Technology

Sierra Space, a private aerospace company, is developing innovative technology intended to produce oxygen under lunar conditions. At NASA’s Johnson Space Center, engineers have tested a machine designed to extract oxygen from lunar regolith—a simulation of the moon's dusty, rocky surface.

During recent experiments, the team heated the regolith to over 1,650 degrees Celsius, resulting in the release of oxygen-containing molecules. Program manager Brant White emphasized the importance of this technology for future lunar missions, stating that the ability to produce oxygen directly on the moon could significantly reduce mission costs compared to transporting supplies from Earth.

As NASA plans to land astronauts on the moon by 2027 as part of its Artemis program, the development of oxygen-extraction technology becomes increasingly crucial. Researchers at various institutions, including Johns Hopkins University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, are exploring different processes for oxygen extraction, each facing unique challenges posed by lunar gravity and environment.

Current tests indicate that one astronaut would require two to three kilograms of regolith per day for sufficient oxygen, while life support systems may recycle exhaled oxygen. Besides providing breathable air, extracted oxygen could also serve as an oxidizer for rocket fuel, facilitating deeper space exploration.

With a potential timeline extending to 2028 for tests on the moon, Sierra Space and its collaborators continue to refine their technologies in preparation for future missions.