The Moon's crust alone contains enough oxygen to sustain 8 billion people for 100,000 years.

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Ngày cập nhật gần nhất: 15/4/2026

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Adding to the reasons to transform the Moon into a frontier for exploring the Solar System.

In addition to advancements enabling interstellar travel, scientists are also researching ways to optimize resources for living on 'extraterrestrial soil.' One of the most heavily invested aspects is the method of oxygen delivery to the lunar surface.

In October, the Australian Space Agency (ASA) and NASA signed a collaborative contract, bringing the Artemis project to fruition. This project involves sending ground exploration missions to the Moon to collect rock samples - an abundant source of untapped oxygen.

The Moon possesses an atmosphere, albeit thin, primarily composed of hydrogen, neon, and argon. This gas composition cannot support complex life forms, such as mammals.

However, the Moon remains rich in oxygen, albeit not in gaseous form. Oxygen on the Moon is trapped within regolith - the surface layer consisting of rocks and fine dust covering the entire lunar surface. If we could extract oxygen from the regolith, the potential to support life on this barren celestial body would be unprecedented.

Oxygen is abundantly present in many substances surrounding us. And the main components of the Moon resemble what lies beneath our feet. Minerals like silica, aluminum, iron, or magnesium oxide are abundant on the lunar surface, all containing oxygen, albeit not in a form our lungs can process.

On the lunar surface, these minerals exist in various forms, including solid rocks, pebbles, fine dust, and gravel. This is a natural consequence of collisions between the Moon and free-flying celestial bodies in space.

Many researchers refrain from using the term 'soil' to refer to the materials covering the lunar surface. This is because on Earth, soil is the product of millennia of weathering by countless microorganisms. Soil is a dense network of minerals not present in the original rock structure.

The soil around us possesses unique structural, chemical, and biological properties. Meanwhile, the materials covering the lunar surface consist primarily of pristine surface soil.

Filtering Air from Rocks

The composition of the lunar surface soil contains up to 45% oxygen, however, oxygen molecules tightly adhere to the mentioned minerals. Breaking these strong bonds requires introducing energy into the compound. This is where scientists employ electrolysis.

Electrolyzing the lunar surface soil will primarily yield oxygen, alongside aluminum as a byproduct. Scientists will endeavor not to waste any materials obtained after the electrolysis process.

Although this is a simple process, it still requires a large amount of energy. To support the electrolysis of the lunar surface soil, we will need solar energy or other potential energy sources available on the Moon.

Historical footprints on the lunar surface soil.

Establishing this oxygen production chain will also require large-scale industrial machinery. The technologies needed for this process already exist on Earth; the main challenge lies in transporting them to the Moon and providing a stable, abundant energy source for their operation.

Earlier this year, the Belgian-based startup Space Applications Services announced plans to assemble three oxygen-generating reactors through electrolysis. They plan to deploy this technology on the Moon for testing in 2025.

How much oxygen can the Moon produce?

Estimations suggest that the oxygen reserves in the lunar surface soil are vast. Each cubic meter of lunar surface soil contains an average of 1.4 tons of minerals, of which 630 kilograms is oxygen. NASA estimates that humans require 800 grams of oxygen per day to survive, so 630 kg of oxygen would be enough for one person to live for about 2 years or more.

If we estimate the lunar surface soil to be about 10 meters thick, and we can extract all the oxygen it contains, then the Moon's crust holds enough oxygen to support 8 billion people for 100,000 years. Although this figure will depend on various factors such as the efficiency of the processing plants, the amount of lunar surface soil extracted, etc., with just half of that impressive number, humanity could establish a prosperous lunar outpost for many millennia.

The Moon will serve as a leverage to propel humanity to other planets in the Solar System, and beyond that, it will be the first step towards conquering distant realms of space.

Reference: The Conversation

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the key reasons for exploring the Moon as a resource for human life?

The Moon offers abundant untapped oxygen trapped in regolith, essential for supporting human life. Its thin atmosphere, primarily composed of hydrogen, neon, and argon, cannot sustain complex life, yet the minerals on the lunar surface contain up to 45% oxygen. This makes the Moon a valuable target for exploration as we seek to establish a sustainable presence beyond Earth.

How do scientists plan to extract oxygen from lunar surface materials?

Scientists plan to extract oxygen from lunar regolith through a process called electrolysis. This method breaks the strong chemical bonds holding oxygen within minerals. Although simple in concept, electrolysis requires substantial energy, which can be sourced from solar power on the Moon. Innovations like the oxygen-generating reactors proposed by Space Applications Services are vital for testing this technology in upcoming lunar missions.

What are the potential benefits of establishing a lunar outpost for humanity?

Establishing a lunar outpost could support billions of people for centuries, providing a launchpad for further space exploration. With enough oxygen extracted from the Moon's crust, which can support approximately 8 billion people for 100,000 years, this base would enable sustainable human activities in space, paving the way for missions to other planets in the Solar System and beyond.

What challenges must be addressed for lunar oxygen extraction technology to succeed?

Key challenges include developing efficient electrolysis systems capable of operating on the Moon, transporting necessary machinery, and ensuring a reliable energy source. The success of lunar oxygen extraction also hinges on the effectiveness of processing plants and the volume of lunar surface soil available for extraction. Overcoming these hurdles is crucial for sustaining human life beyond Earth.

How does the Moon's soil composition differ from Earth's soil?

Unlike Earth’s soil, which is a product of weathering and biological activity, the Moon's soil consists of pristine surface materials without organic matter. Lunar regolith contains minerals like silica, aluminum, and iron, tightly bonding oxygen molecules. This fundamental difference in composition highlights the unique challenges and opportunities for using lunar soil in oxygen extraction and other processes for human habitation.

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