Scientists race to extract breathable oxygen from Moon soil for future missions

A new project is testing ways to produce oxygen from Moon soil for future space missions. Called OXYGEN, the scheme involves researchers from the UK, Canada, and Europe. The aim is to help astronauts breathe and make rocket fuel during long stays on the lunar surface. The initiative is led by Added Value Solutions (AVS)-UK and the University of Glasgow. They plan to extract oxygen from materials similar to lunar soil using advanced systems. A £410,000 (~$294,000) grant from the UK Space Agency (UKSA) is funding the work.

The European Space Agency (ESA) already has a prototype oxygen plant in the Netherlands. It uses molten salt electrolysis to pull oxygen from simulated Moon dust. In 2020, ESA, Glasgow, and Metalysis successfully tested this method. Meanwhile, Carleton University in Canada is building a new reactor for the same process. Breaking down lunar soil, or regolith, could also unlock useful metals like silicon, titanium, aluminium, and iron. These materials might later be used for building structures on the Moon. The project supports NASA’s Artemis programme, which aims to keep astronauts on the Moon for weeks at a time.

The OXYGEN project will collect samples and refine extraction techniques over the coming years. If successful, the technology could provide breathable air and fuel for future Moon missions. It may also reduce the need to transport heavy supplies from Earth.