Sierra Space Develops Oxygen Production Technology for Future Lunar Missions

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Sierra Space is advancing its efforts to produce oxygen on the moon with a newly designed device capable of functioning in lunar-like conditions. This innovative apparatus was tested at NASA's Johnson Space Center, where engineers worked with regolith—simulated lunar soil composed of dust and grit—under controlled temperatures exceeding 1,650 degrees Celsius. The process ultimately resulted in the release of oxygen molecules.

Brant White, program manager at Sierra Space, emphasized the project's significance, stating, "The next step is going to the moon." The oxygen generated will not only support astronauts' breathing needs but also serve as a critical component for rocket fuel, facilitating deeper space exploration missions, including potential trips to Mars.

The technology is part of a broader initiative aimed at creating self-sufficient lunar habitats. Astronauts living on the moon will require not just oxygen but also metals, which can be extracted from the abundant regolith. Sierra Space's method aims to significantly reduce the costs associated with transporting resources from Earth, with White pointing out that delivering oxygen and metals from our planet would be a cumbersome and expensive undertaking.

Simulations have shown that the moon's low gravity could pose challenges for certain oxygen-extracting processes. Engineers are currently developing solutions, such as using vibrations to dislodge oxygen bubbles in the extraction system. Sierra Space's process, however, allows bubbles to form freely in the regolith, minimizing the chances of obstruction.

Sierra Space expects to conduct tests on the moon by 2028, as these advancements could play a vital role in establishing human presence on the lunar surface and beyond. The necessity for producing materials like iron and titanium on the moon is also being explored, with researchers aiming to develop systems that support construction, manufacturing, and sustainability for future lunar colonies.

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