Researchers in China have made significant advances in technology that could enable humans to thrive on the Moon. A study published in the journal Joule details how scientists successfully extracted water from lunar soil, which they then used to convert carbon dioxide (CO2) into oxygen and fuels. This breakthrough is essential for future deep space exploration, as it lessens the reliance on Earth for vital resources such as water and fuel.
Lu Wang from the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, stated, “We never fully imagined the ‘magic’ that the lunar soil possessed.” The team was pleasantly surprised by the effectiveness of their integrated approach, which combines lunar water extraction and carbon dioxide catalysis. This method promises to increase energy efficiency while reducing the complexity and cost of necessary infrastructure.
The vision of establishing a base on the Moon for extended exploration has been discussed by space agencies for many years. However, sourcing adequate resources, especially water, remains a significant challenge. Transporting water from Earth is prohibitively expensive; it costs around AUD 126,378 (USD 83,000) per gallon, with astronauts requiring roughly four gallons daily.
Traditional methods for extracting water from lunar soil have been cumbersome and energy-intensive, lacking the capability to convert CO2 into usable fuel. The new technology devised by Wang and his colleagues facilitates both the extraction of water and the conversion of CO2 exhaled by astronauts into hydrogen gas and carbon monoxide. These by-products can subsequently be transformed into fuels and breathable oxygen.
This innovative process employs a photothermal technique that harnesses sunlight to generate heat. Despite the laboratory success, significant challenges remain in applying this technology on the Moon due to extreme conditions such as drastic temperature variations, intense radiation, and low gravity. Additionally, the composition of lunar soil is inconsistent, which can affect performance, and the CO2 produced by astronauts may not suffice to meet the water and oxygen needs for extended missions.
The authors of the study acknowledge that overcoming these technical hurdles, alongside the associated costs of development and deployment, is crucial for achieving sustainable water utilisation and facilitating human life on the Moon. As space exploration continues to evolve, these advancements could pave the way for a new era of human activity beyond Earth.