Technologies for prospecting, extraction, and utilization of space resources

Abstract

Our solar system holds an abundance of resources that can be utilized to support space exploration missions and sustain a future human presence beyond Earth. These resources include solar energy, water ice, volatiles, hydrates, minerals, metals, rare earth elements, and the regolith on various celestial bodies. The in situ resource utilization (ISRU) approach encompasses the production of life support consumables, such as oxygen and water, propellants, in-space manufacturing, or the construction of large structures based on these locally available materials. ISRU reduces the amount of resources needed to be supplied from Earth, thereby enabling long-term missions and permanent outposts. The studies presented in this Research Topic showcase advancements in instrument development for the detection and characterization of space resources, as well as technologies to process feedstock and obtain valuable products such as water, oxygen, and metals. Additionally, they address the critical need for suitable terrestrial regolith analogues to support the development, testing, and validation of ISRU systems, as well as the construction of infrastructure to enable sustainable, long-term operations.