Advancing Commercial Opportunities in Space: NASA's Plans for Resource Development on the Moon

NASA is taking steps to unlock commercial opportunities in space through the development of resources on the moon. The U.S. space agency is part of the Artemis mission, which aims to return Americans to the moon by 2025, and eventually develop a trip to Mars. In order to attract commercial investment, NASA is looking to quantify resources available on the moon, such as energy, water, and lunar soil. Gerald Sanders, a rocket scientist for 35 years at the Johnston Space Centre, said that understanding the resources available on the moon is key to cutting costs and developing a circular economy. To this end, NASA will send a test drill rig to the moon at the end of the month and plans a larger-scale excavation of moon soil, or regolith, and a pilot processing plant in 2032.

The potential customers for these resources are likely to be commercial rocket companies who can use the moon's resources for fuel or oxygen. The Australian Space Agency is involved in developing a semi-autonomous rover that will take regolith samples on a NASA mission as early as 2026. The rover will demonstrate the collection of lunar soil that contains oxygen in the form of oxides, which can then be extracted with separate equipment sent to the moon. Samuel Webster, an assistant director at the Australian Space Agency, said this is a key step towards establishing a sustainable human presence on the moon and supporting future missions to Mars.

The game-changer for mining on the moon could be the development of 3D printing technology, which will make it easier and more efficient to develop resources on the moon. In conclusion, NASA's plans to develop resources on the moon could pave the way for a new era of commercial opportunities in space. The availability of resources on the moon, such as oxygen, water, and lunar soil, will open up new possibilities for space exploration and development. The development of 3D printing technology could be a game-changer for mining on the moon, making it easier and more efficient to develop resources.