Payload Concept Evaluation for Water/Oxygen production on the Moon based on Thermo- or Electro-Chemical Reduction of Lunar Regolith

Using space-based resources (In-Situ Resource Utilization, ISRU) to produce life support and propulsion consumables such as oxygen or water offers the possibility of a more sustainable and cost-effective exploration of the Moon when compared to missions relying solely on material transport from Earth. Learning how to operate on the Moon with local resources, reduced gravity and a harsh environment is a stepping stone towards developing technology for a sustained human presence in space. We analyze several technical concepts to produce oxygen or water from lunar regolith. Thermochemical reduction processes of solid lunar materials using hydrogen (hydrogen reduction of ilmenite), methane (carbothermal) reduction and other processes such as molten salt electrochemistry (e.g. the FFC-Cambridge process) are evaluated. Focus is set on the technological solutions for supporting fluid management systems required to produce, separate, collect, and measure water or oxygen from solid oxide chemical/electrochemical processes, evaluating their technology readiness level, current necessary developments and their potential interaction with other life support and exploration activities. Technology de-risking plans to demonstrate fluid management system feasibility and tests in relevant environments are proposed to support establishing a human presence on the Moon sustained by local resources.