Acquisition of Moon Oxygen Resources (AMOR)

Abstract

Within the regional funded AMOR project (Acquisition of Moon Oxygen Resources) it is planned to build and operate an Earth demonstration plant in South of Spain, where sufficient solar energy for a representative oxygen extraction process is available. The process is based on the reduction of Ilmenite (FeTiO3) at a temperature of about T = 1000°C using solar heat. For the representative feedstock a special volcanic lunar soil simulant is used, which is collected with a robotic unit. Within the present study the feasibility of some mechanical, thermodynamic and chemical key issues of that visionary future concept is discussed and partly shown. For the next steps it is planned to manufacture (subscaled) demonstration models on breadboard level for the three key modules of the AMOR-facility, which are: 1. Robotic lunar regolith collection unit including magnetic Ilmenite separation 2. Subscaled reaction chamber to demonstrate the Ilmenite reduction process as far as possible under relevant lunar conditions (incl. electrolysis) 3. Oxygen post processing unit to demonstrate the gas separation, liquefaction and oxygen storage processes The progress of the AMOR-technology strongly depends on the future funding situation. The subject is an important contribution to the worldwide increasing activities on the planetary exploration subject, especially regarding ISRU (In-situ Resources Utilisation). Extensive research and development potential is given for a wide spectrum of scientific institutes and industry.