Key Takeaways
- Nasa awarded a $6.9 million contract to Interlune for developing technologies to extract resources from lunar soil for future missions.
- The project aims to enhance in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) to reduce dependence on supplies from Earth.
- Technological advancements include a mass spectrometer for analyzing lunar regolith and measuring gas concentrations.
Advancing Lunar Resource Utilization
NASA is collaborating with industry to develop technologies for in-situ resource utilization (ISRU), crucial for long-duration missions to the Moon and Mars. The goal is to extract valuable resources, such as hydrogen and helium-3, from lunar regolith, enabling astronauts to utilize materials found on-site. Such capabilities could support propulsion, energy production, and life support systems for deep space exploration.
To propel ISRU technologies forward, NASA has contracted Seattle-based Interlune for $6.9 million to validate resource-prospecting tools. This award comes from the Phase III NASA Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program, which focuses on transitioning technology to NASA missions and the private sector. By leveraging existing resources, these tools aim to make future lunar missions more self-sufficient, decreasing the need to transport supplies from Earth.
Interlune’s project builds upon its previous work with NASA’s Flight Opportunities program, where the company tested payload prototypes on parabolic flights simulating lunar gravity. Under the new contract, Interlune will design, construct, and test engineering units and flight hardware capable of collecting and analyzing lunar regolith samples. The payload will sort particles by size, extract solar wind volatile gases, and assess their quantities.
A key component of the project is a mass spectrometer inspired by NASA’s Mass Spectrometer Observing Lunar Operations (MSOLO). Developed at Kennedy Space Center, this compact instrument is designed to analyze gases and chemical compositions at potential lunar landing sites. The MSOLO technology has already been validated in lunar conditions during the Intuitive Machines 2 mission scheduled for 2025.
Michael Johansen, Deputy Program Manager for NASA’s Game Changing Development Program, emphasized the importance of maturing transformative technologies for industry use. The evolution of MSOLO into a reliable flight instrument represents a significant milestone for commercial resource prospecting.
Furthermore, MSOLO is available for commercial applications and adaptable for different flight configurations. Its design includes an internal hybrid computer for on-site processing and a calibration gas system, enabling real-time adjustments on the lunar surface, benefiting not only NASA’s Artemis program but also commercial developers’ missions.
NASA’s investment in lunar surface technology through commercial partnerships is vital for establishing a sustainable lunar presence. By advancing resource-prospecting instruments, these initiatives aim to reduce the complexity and costs of future exploration missions.
The SBIR and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program, managed by NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate, supports small businesses in developing technologies that align with NASA’s objectives. The program is transitioning to a Broad Agency Announcement framework to enhance opportunities for small businesses and drive innovation. Interested businesses can find application details on NASA’s information hub.
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