Living off the land

The challenge aims to develop in-situ resource utilisation (ISRU) technology, using resources available on the Moon to reduce dependence on costly supplies from Earth and enable a more sustainable presence in space. The Moon’s soil, or regolith, can be processed to extract breathable oxygen and metals, such as silicon, iron and aluminium for construction, while water ice from shadowed craters can provide drinking water, additional oxygen and hydrogen for rocket fuel. These advancements are important for future exploration and could also lead to more sustainable practices in mining and manufacturing industries on Earth.

“Competitions like the Space Resources Challenge incentivise creativity and innovation, providing opportunities for smaller players to contribute to solving some of the most critical problems in space exploration. ESA’s unifying role in such initiatives fosters cross-border partnerships within Europe between SMEs, research institutions and industry leaders and ensures Europe’s competitiveness in the global space sector,” shares Daniel Neuenschwander, ESA’s Director of Human and Robotic Exploration.