Scientists have created an apparatus for the production of oxygen from moon dust

Researchers from the European Space Agencyagencies are developing a system that can produce oxygen from lunar dust (regolith). The technology will help future settlers extract air and industrial materials.  

Analysis of lunar dust samples delivered toThe Earth during the Apollo missions showed that it contains 40-45% oxygen. However, it is not so easy to extract, since the gas in regolith is in the form of oxides in the composition of various minerals and glasses. To solve this problem, a team from ESA is currentlyis testing a prototype miniature residual lunar soil processing plant.

Oxygen extraction in it is carried out withusing electrolysis of molten salt. To do this, the regolith is placed in a metal basket with molten calcium chloride salt heated to 950 °C, which acts as an electrolyte. Under such conditions, lunar dust remains solid, but when an electric current is passed through it, the oxides break down and pure oxygen begins to migrate through the liquid salt accumulated at the anode.

A byproduct of this process isvarious metal alloys suitable for further use. Therefore, the team is also exploring ways to process and use these metals in lunar conditions, such as 3D printing.

For nowThe researchers are only transforming artificially created regolith, but they hope that the technology will also work effectively with real material. The final version of the system, which can function in conditions of low temperature and gravity, like on the Moon, is planned to be developed by the mid-2020s.

Although humanity is not yet soonwill be able to transfer industrial production to the satellite, but such devices will help the first researchers and colonists obtain oxygen for breathing and fuel, as well as metals for repairing equipment. ESA also plans to use regolith as an affordable building material and a means of storing solar energy.

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