Potential ISRU of lunar regolith for planetary habitation applications

Abstract

Introduction: When humans return to the Moon, In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) of lunar regolith will allow a more efficient, less costly, and thus, a more sustainable human presence on the Moon to be achieved. Maintaining a human presence on the Moon will require methods to mitigate lunar dust, provide protection from micro-meteoroid impact, and reduce astronaut exposure to radiation. It would also be desirable to grow plants at the outpost, both for food and other life support purposes. Furthermore, extraction of resources such as Helium-3, metals, and oxygen from lunar regolith would also be of value.