Progress Made in Lunar In Situ Resource Utilization under NASA’s Exploration Technology and Development Program
Abstract
Incorporation of in situ resource utilization (ISRU) and the production of mission-critical consumables for propulsion, power, and life support into mission architectures can greatly reduce the mass, cost, and risk of missions, leading to a sustainable and affordable approach to human exploration beyond Earth. ISRU and its products can also greatly affect how other exploration systems are developed, including determining which technologies are important or enabling. Although the concept of lunar ISRU has existed for more than 40 years, the technologies and systems had not progressed much past simple laboratory proof-of-concept tests. With the release of the Vision for Space Exploration in 2004 with the goal of harnessing the Moon’s resources, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) initiated the ISRU project in the Exploration Technology Development Program (ETDP) to develop the technologies and systems needed to meet this goal. In the 5 years of work in the ISRU Project, significant advancements and accomplishments occurred in several important areas of lunar ISRU. Also, two analog field tests held in Hawaii in 2008 and 2010 demonstrated all the steps in ISRU capabilities required, along with the integration of ISRU products and hardware with propulsion, power, and cryogenic storage systems. This paper will review the scope of the ISRU Project in the ETDP, ISRU incorporation, development strategies used by the ISRU project, and ISRU development and test accomplishments over the 5 years of funded project activity.
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During feedstock preparation, lunar dust's fine particle size, abrasiveness, and electrostatic behavior can affect beneficiation, pelleting, and sintering, influencing handling and consolidation.
“During feedstock preparation, its fine particle size, abrasiveness, and electrostatic behavior can affect beneficiation, pelleting, and sintering, influencing handling and consolidation.”
From A review and analysis of extraction methods for aluminum and oxygen from Lunar Regolith (2026) · cites this paper as Sanders and Larson 2013
Each method has achieved meaningful progress through laboratory or analog testing.
“each method has achieved meaningful progress through laboratory or analog testing”
From A review and analysis of extraction methods for aluminum and oxygen from Lunar Regolith (2026) · cites this paper as Sanders and Larson (2013)
Lunar dust poses risks to both system operation and preprocessing of thermal, mechanical and electrochemical systems.
“Lunar dust poses risks to both system operation and preprocessing of thermal, mechanical and electrochemical systems.”
From A review and analysis of extraction methods for aluminum and oxygen from Lunar Regolith (2026) · cites this paper as Sanders and Larson 2013
Reliance on Earth-based teleoperation for ISRU is inefficient due to communication delays.
“Due to communication delays, reliance on Earth-based teleoperation is inefficient.”
From A review and analysis of extraction methods for aluminum and oxygen from Lunar Regolith (2026) · cites this paper as Sanders and Larson 2013
Limited human intervention will likely occur only during crewed surface campaigns, with most operations running robotically during uncrewed phases.
“Limited human intervention will likely occur only during crewed surface campaigns, with most operations running robotically during uncrewed phases (Sanders and Larson 2013;NAS 2022).”
From A review and analysis of extraction methods for aluminum and oxygen from Lunar Regolith (2026) · cites this paper as Sanders and Larson 2013
ISRU pathways that minimize exotic materials are more logistically viable, suggesting early systems will rely heavily on imported components until in-situ ceramic processing becomes feasible.
“ISRU pathways that minimize exotic materials are more logistically viable, suggesting early systems will rely heavily on imported components until in-situ ceramic processing becomes feasible (Sanders and Larson 2013;Yu et al. 2025;Chen et al. 2000).”
From A review and analysis of extraction methods for aluminum and oxygen from Lunar Regolith (2026) · cites this paper as Sanders and Larson 2013
Several critical gaps must be addressed before these systems can operate reliably and continuously on the lunar surface.
“several critical gaps must be addressed before these systems can operate reliably and continuously on the lunar surface Sanders and Larson (2013).”
From A review and analysis of extraction methods for aluminum and oxygen from Lunar Regolith (2026) · cites this paper as Sanders and Larson (2013)
Dust infiltration can erode seals, contaminate electrodes, and reduce optical efficiency in concentrator-based heating.
“Dust infiltration can erode seals, contaminate electrodes, and reduce optical efficiency in concentratorbased heating.”
From A review and analysis of extraction methods for aluminum and oxygen from Lunar Regolith (2026) · cites this paper as Sanders and Larson 2013
Reactors may remain dormant for extended periods during the 14-day lunar night.
“Given the 14-day lunar night, reactors may remain dormant for extended periods; dust-resistant covers or hibernation protocols will be critical to protect equipment during these off-cycles (Crawford 2015;Sanders and Larson 2013).”
From A review and analysis of extraction methods for aluminum and oxygen from Lunar Regolith (2026) · cites this paper as Sanders and Larson 2013
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- Authors
- Sanders, G. B., & Larson, W. E.
- Affiliations
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration (US)
- Kennedy Space Center (US)
- Corresponding author
- Sanders, Gerald B.
- Venue
- Journal of Aerospace Engineering
- Published
- 2013-01
- Volume
- 26
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 5-17
- ISSN
- 0893-1321 (ISSN-L)
- 1943-5525
- OpenAlex
- W3186299794
- Cited by
- 173
- References
- 14
- Citations by year
- 2026: 31 · 2025: 35 · 2024: 17 · 2023: 12 · 2022: 11 · 2021: 13 · 2020: 10 · 2019: 10 · 2018: 5 · 2017: 7 · 2016: 8 · 2015: 9 · 2014: 2 · 2013: 1
- FWCI
- 2.10
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Aerospace Engineering (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Astronomy and Astrophysics › Planetary Science and Exploration
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Aerospace Engineering › Space Exploration and Technology
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Aerospace Engineering › Spacecraft Design and Technology
- Keywords
- lunar in-situ resource utilization, lunar propellant production, cryogenic storage, human lunar exploration, Vision for Space Exploration, technology development strategy
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