Versatile manufacturing technologies for extracting resources from the moon are needed to support future space missions. Of particular interest is the production of gases and metals from lunar resources for life support, propulsion, and in‐space fabrication. Deposits made from lunar regolith could yield highly emissive coatings and near net shaped parts for replacement or repair of critical components. Equally important is development of high fidelity lunar simulants for ground based validation of potential lunar surface operations. Described herein is an innovative plasma processing technique for in‐situ production of gases, metals, coatings, and deposits from lunar regolith, and synthesis of high fidelity lunar simulant from NASA issued lunar simulant JSC‐1. Initial plasma reduction trials of JSC‐1 lunar simulant have indicated production of metallic iron and magnesium. Evolution of carbon monoxide has been detected subsequent to reduction of the simulant using the plasma process. Plasma processing of the simulant has also resulted in glassy phases resembling the volcanic glass and agglutinates found in lunar regolith. Complete and partial glassy phase deposits have been obtained by varying the plasma process variables. Experimental techniques, product characterization, and process gas analysis will be discussed.


    Access

    Check access

    Check availability in my library

    Order at Subito €


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Plasma Processing of Lunar Regolith Simulant for Diverse Applications



    Conference:

    SPACE TECHNOLOGY AND APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL FORUM‐STAIF 2008: 12th Conference on Thermophysics Applications in Microgravity; 1st Symposium on Space Resource Utilization; 25th Symposium on Space Nuclear Power and Propulsion; 6th Conference on Human/Robotic Technology and the Vision for Space Exploration; 6th Symposium on Space Colonization; 5th Symposium on New Frontiers and Future Concept ; 2008 ; Albuquerque (New Mexico)


    Published in:

    AIP Conference Proceedings ; 969 , 1 ; 170-177


    Publication date :

    2008-01-21


    Size :

    8 pages





    Type of media :

    Conference paper


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English



    NASA Lunar Regolith Simulant Update

    J. Gruener | NTIS | 2024


    NASA Lunar Regolith Simulant Program

    Edmunson, J. / Betts, W. / Rickman, D. et al. | NTRS | 2010


    2007 Lunar Regolith Simulant Workshop Overview

    McLemore, Carole A. / Fikes, John C. / Howell, Joe T. | NTRS | 2007


    2007 Lunar Regolith Simulant Workshop Overview

    McLemore, Carole A. / Fikes, John C. / Howell, Joe T. | NTRS | 2007


    Developing an Anorthositic Lunar Regolith Simulant

    Battler, M. M. / Richard, J. / Boucher, D. et al. | AIAA | 2006