Therefore,
Chinese researchers produce water, oxygen:
An additional step towards potential lunar colonies. In addition, A Chinese team has unveiled a device operating on solar energy capable of extracting essential resources from the soil. For example, from our natural satellite.
Solar reactor – Chinese researchers produce water, oxygen
Measuring between 3. In addition, 8 meters thick, the mineral dust layer (called “regolith ) Which covers the surface of the Lune is known to contain significant quantities of water. Furthermore, As part of future long -term inhabited missions. Similarly, extracting it will be essential, but so far, the approaches envisaged have been complex and energy delicious.
Recently. Lu Wang, of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, and his colleagues unveiled a simple device capable of paying this task and also producing other key resources.
Presented in the journal Joulethis experimental reactor uses light. solar heat to extract water from lunar soil samples (taken during the Chang’e 5 or simulated mission). The regolith will then catalyze the reaction between CO2 (which would essentially be produced by astronauts). part of this precious liquid, in order to produce oxygen, as well as carbon monoxide and hydrogen, usable as fuel.
According to Wang, the main mineral involved is ilmenite. Consisting of an oxide of iron. titanium, it is used on earth to produce refractory bricks, oven tiles, and also as an opacification agent.
Important challenges to overcome
As promising as the approach on paper. its large -scale use, in an environment as tough as that of the Moon, would imply to overcome a certain number of technical challenges that the team intends to explore in the coming months.
« Producing enough water, oxygen and fuel for a lunar colony will not be an easy task “, Recognizes Wang. “” In addition to enormous temperature fluctuations. intense solar radiation and low gravity, it will be necessary to deal with the heterogeneous nature of the lunar soil and the rarity of resources in carbon carbon dioxide. »
In June, a study had revealed why the two sides of the moon are so different.
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