Debris to Infrastructure: Salvage Characterization and Recovered Metals Processing in Lunar Gravity

The main objective of this project is to design and demonstrate a prototype Lunar surface reactor that can process salvaged orbital debris into commodity feedstock material which meets purity standards required by in-space manufacturing and surface systems construction. To design an effective reactor, recyclate material properties must be understood clearly. Therefore, the first objective of this proposal expands upon ongoing research and will deliver a salvage characterization tool. The tool consists of an object database with optimization features that will enable active debris recovery (ADR) missions to salvage items which meet the reactor's technical requirements and provide a reasonable return-on-investment (ROI). Inspired by closed-loop economic sustainability, the primary intended source of salvage metal will come from derelict satellites and other orbital debris launched by the U.S. in GEO and MEO. Intermediate objectives which enable this research include the following: detail the expected condition and composition of material delivered for recycling; establish the material quality requirements for ISAM and surface construction projects; model necessary changes to adapt Earth recycling processes for the Lunar environment; and, identify cross-cutting integrations with other mission requirements. The technology developed by this proposal responds to a priority focus area from the Advanced Manufacturing Envisioned Future and provides cross-cutting support for gaps identified in ISAM, Surface Systems, and ISRU Envisioned Futures. It also directly addresses two Moon to Mars objectives: OP-12, maximize the resources available to future explorers and allow for reuse/ recycling of material transported from Earth and RT-5, design systems for reuse and recycling to support long-term sustainability.

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