Moon researchers successfully synthesize oxygen from lunar rocks

In a significant step forward for lunar exploration and potential habitation, the European Space Agency (ESA) has awarded a contract to UK-based company Metalysis for the further development of the FFC Cambridge process. This innovative technology, developed by Derek Fray, Tom Farthing, and George Chen at the University of Cambridge in 1996-1997, offers the potential to extract oxygen from metal oxides found in lunar regolith.

The FFC Cambridge process involves heating lunar regolith in a mesh-lined basket with molten calcium chloride salt as an electrolyte to 950°C. An electric current is passed through the material to extract oxygen, which is collected at an anode. The process significantly reduces the need to transport materials from Earth, aligning with the concept of in-situ resource utilization (ISRU).

Recent tests using simulated lunar regolith have shown promising results, with 96% of the oxygen extracted in just 50 hours. This efficient method for producing oxygen on the Moon is crucial for future lunar exploration and potential habitation.

In addition to oxygen production, the metal alloy by-products from the FFC Cambridge process could be used for in-situ manufacturing of structures on the Moon. This would further reduce the need for Earth-based materials, paving the way for long-term human presence on the Moon and serving as a stepping stone for further space exploration.

As research progresses, a combination of technologies, including the FFC Cambridge process and Molten Salt Electrolysis, may be deployed to support sustainable lunar operations. Molten Salt Electrolysis, developed by Donald Sadoway at MIT, uses molten lunar regolith as the electrolyte itself.

Metalysis' goal is to create a system that can extract oxygen and produce building materials directly from lunar regolith. The success of these efforts could have far-reaching implications, not only for lunar exploration but for space travel as a whole.

It's important to note that the potential for in-situ manufacturing of structures on the Moon using metal alloy by-products from the FFC Cambridge process is not mentioned in this article. However, the advancements in the FFC Cambridge process for oxygen production and its potential to reduce the need for Earth-based materials are significant steps towards sustainable lunar operations.