High-efficiency extraction and utilization of lunar solar wind volatiles

A method of processing Lunar regolith for the extraction of solar wind volatiles has been developed to enable sustainable exploration of the Moon. The process incorporates efficient heat and mass transfer processes to provide thermal extraction and subsequent recovery of atoms implanted on the upper surface of Lunar regolith. End-to-end system modeling and component design establish a level feasibility and efficiency not previously achieved. Extracted molecular species are purified and stored on a mobile platform which delivers the resources to a central storage facility. The design concept results in several hundred times the mass of the facility produced in liquid product resources for life support and propulsion over the life of the system. Key developments include recuperative heating and cooling systems, rapid heating of regolith, and separation membranes capable of high selectivity due to thermal management. The ability to produce significant amounts of hydrogen, nitrogen, and helium from the Lunar surface will dramatically reduce the cost and complexity of performing ISRU with earth-based resources.