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In-Situ Resource Utilization

Completed TRL 3 (started at 2, targeting 3)

Description

ISRU Project is developing technology to enable sustainable exploration of the Moon through processing regolith for oxygen production and processing polar regolith for water production.

Benefits

In-situ resource utilization technology enables the ability to produce useful products out of resources available at the site. The ISRU team has narrowed the focus to production of propellant from two lunar resource types: 1) Oxygen from mineral oxides in the regolith near the poles, and 2) Water from icy soils in the permanently shadowed regions (PSR)

Details

Technology areaExploration Destination Systems > In Situ Resource Use > Resource Processing for Production of Mission Consumables
ProgramGame Changing Development (GCD)
Lead organizationGlenn Research Center, Cleveland, OH
Start date2018-10-01
End date2019-09-30

Project contacts

Listed on TechPort itself — the most direct way to ask about this specific project.

How to get involved

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 3) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

None of these are guaranteed paths for this specific project — TechPort itself doesn't have an "apply" button. Reaching out to the contact(s) above with a specific question is usually the fastest way to find out what's actually open.