Experimental optimisation of lunar regolith beneficiation for the production of an Ilmenite-rich feedstock

Abstract

The space industry is moving towards increasing sustainability for operations of a long duration space mission and eventually a permanent space settlement. In-situ resource utilization (ISRU) technologies will play a major role in realizing this vision. As moon is the current object of interest, the lunar regolith becomes the most abundantly available source of different minerals on the lunar surface. One such mineral is Ilmenite which is an ore of titanium as well as a source for oxygen. Previous research shows that Ilmenite is a more energy efficient source for extraction of oxygen compared to other minerals such as silicates. However, Ilmenite deposits on the lunar surface are scattered and not as high as the silicate minerals.