A solar concentrator has been tested as part of the Carbothermal Reduction Demonstration (CaRD) project, which aims to produce oxygen from simulated lunar regolith for potential use at the Moon’s south pole. This advancement is crucial for enabling long-duration human missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.
As space exploration progresses, ensuring a steady supply of clean air is essential for astronauts far from Earth, where resupply missions are limited. To address this challenge, NASA is exploring In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU), a method that utilizes local resources to provide air, water, food, and other necessities.
Details of the CaRD Experiment
The CaRD experiment focuses on extracting oxygen from lunar regolith, which is approximately 45% oxygen by mass, primarily bound in silicate minerals. This oxygen is deposited when the Moon traverses Earth’s magnetotail, capturing oxygen ions from the upper atmosphere. The process of carbothermal reduction is typically used in industrial settings to remove oxygen from minerals by heating them, often producing carbon monoxide (CO) as a byproduct.
In a significant step forward, the CaRD team recently completed an integrated test of their prototype, which combines a carbothermal oxygen production reactor developed by Sierra Space, a solar concentrator designed by NASA’s Glenn Research Center, and precision mirrors from Composite Mirror Applications. The project is managed by NASA’s Johnson Space Center, which oversees systems engineering, testing, and development.
Test Results and Future Implications
During the test, the team successfully integrated the solar concentrator, mirrors, and control software, applying them to a lunar regolith simulant. The results confirmed the production of CO through a solar-driven chemical reaction. When paired with technology that converts carbon monoxide into oxygen, this method could provide a continuous supply of oxygen for astronauts on the Moon.
This technology may play a vital role in NASA’s Artemis Program and its plans for establishing a lunar base. Additionally, it could be adapted to convert carbon dioxide into oxygen and methane, facilitating refueling operations on the lunar surface. Such advancements would significantly lower the cost and complexity of maintaining a long-term human presence on the Moon.
Moreover, the CaRD technology could also be adapted for extracting oxygen from Martian regolith, supporting NASA’s broader Moon to Mars mission architecture. The project is funded by NASA’s Game Changing Development program under the Space Technology Mission Directorate.
This article was produced by NeonPulse.today using human and AI-assisted editorial processes, based on publicly available information. Content may be edited for clarity and style.
